THE  VETERAN 
J.L.  Wallack 


LIBRARY 

DAVIS 


&ir  See  List  of  Plays  on  2d,  3d  and  4th  pages  of  Cover. 
No.  CCXX. 

FRENCH'S  STANDARD  DRAMA. 


THE  VETERAN; 


OR, 


FRANCE  AND  ALGERIA. 


^  grama,  hi  $i 
BY  J.   LESTER  WALLACE. 


WITH  CAST  OF  CHARACTERS,  STAGE  BUSINESS,  COSTUMES, 
RELATIVE  POSITIONS,  &c.,  &c. 


AS  PERFORMED  AT  WALLACK'S  THEATER 


NEW    YORK: 
SAMUEL      FRENCH, 

122  NASSAU  STREET,  (Up  STAIRS.) 


»t,  Printers,  It*  Ann  Street 


FRENCH'S  STANDARD  DRAMA 

Price  12)4  Cents  each.—  Bound  Volumes  $1. 

...        A 

VOL.  I. 

VOL.  II. 

VOL.  III. 

VOL.  IV. 

I.  Ion, 

9.  The  Stranger, 

1  7.  The  Poor  Gentleman 

25.  Virginias, 

•2-   r'azio, 

10.  Grandfather  White- 

18.  Hamlet, 

26.  Ki: 

3.  Thi.  j,ady  of  Lyons, 

11.  Richard  III.      I  head 

19.  Charles  II. 

27.  London  Assnrano^ 

4.  Richelieu, 

12.  Love's  Sacrifice, 

M.  Venice  Preserved, 

28.  The  Rent  ! 

5.  The  Wife, 

13.  The  Gamester,  [ache 

21.  Pizarro, 

29.  Two  Gentlemen  of 

6.  The  Honeymoon, 

14.  A  Cure  for  the  Heart- 

22.  The  Love  Chase, 

Verona, 

7.  The  School  for  Scandal 

15.  The  Hunchback, 

23.  Othello,               flings 

SO.  The  Jealous  Wife, 

8.  Money, 

16.  Don  Caesar  de  Bazan, 

24.  Lend  me  Five  Shil- 

31.  The  Rirals, 

With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

With  a  Portrait  and   Me 

32.  Perfection," 

moir    of    Mrs.     A.    C. 

moir  of  Mr.  CHARLES 

moir  of  Mr.  W.  E.  BUR 

With  a  Portrait  an.}  M 

j      MOWATT. 

KEAN. 

TON. 

moir  of  J.  Jl.  H 

VOL.  V. 

VOL.  VI. 

VOL.  VII. 

VOL.  VIII 

33.  A  New  Way  to  Pay 

41.  Speed  the  Plough, 

49.  Road  to  Ruin, 

57.  The  Aposjfe   S; 

Old  Debts, 

42.  Romeo  and  Juliet, 

50.  Macbeth, 

58.  Twelfth  H^BB 

34.  Look  Before  You  Leap 
35.  King  John, 

43.  Feudal  Times, 

44.  Charles  the  Twelfth, 

51.  Temper, 
52.  Evadne, 

59   Brutu.s, 
60.  Simpson  * 

36.  Nervous  Man, 

45.  The  Bridal, 

53.  Bertram, 

61.  Merchant  of 

37.  Damon  and  Pythias, 

46.  The  Follies  of  a  Night 

54.  The  Duenna, 

62.  OM  Heads  and  You) 

38.  Clandestine  Marriage 

47.  The  Iron  Chest, 

55.  Much  Ado  About  No 

Hearts, 

39.  William  Tell, 

48.  Faint    Heart    Never 

thing, 

63.  Mountaineers. 

40.  Day  after  the  Wedding 

Won  Fair  Lady, 

56.  The  Critic, 

64.  Three    U'euks     Aft 

Marriage. 

With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

"With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

With  a  Portrait  and  11 

moir  of  G.   COLMAN, 

moir  of  E.  BULWfiR 

moir  of  R.  B.  SHERI 

moir  of  Mr.  < 

the  Elder. 

LYTTON. 

DAN. 

H.  BARRETT. 

VOL.  IX. 

VOL.  X. 

VOL.  XI. 

VOL.  XII. 

65.  Love, 

73.  Henry  VIII. 

81.  Julius  Csesar, 

89.  Ingomar, 

i  66.  As  You  Like  It, 

74.  Married  and  Single, 

S2.  Vicar  of  Wakefield, 

90.  Sketches  in  In.lia, 

67.  The  Klder  Brother, 

7i>.  Henrv  IV. 

ap  Year, 

91.  Two  K 

6*.  Werner, 

76.  Paul  Pry. 

84.  The  Catspaw, 

92.  Jane  S 

69.  Gisippus, 
70.  Town  and  Country. 

7T.  Guy  Mannering, 
78.  Sweethearts   and 

«...  The  Passing  Cloud, 
86.  Drunkard, 

93.  Cor- 
94.  Mind  Your  Own  B 

71.  King  Lear, 

Wives, 

87.  Rob  Rov, 

iness, 

72.  Blue  Devils, 

79.  Serious  Family. 

88.  George  Barnwell, 

95.  Writing  01, 

80.  She   Stoop?  to    Con 

96.  Heir  at  Law, 

With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

quer, 

With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

moir  of  Mrs.  SHAW. 

With  a  Portrait  _ad  Me 

moir    of    Mrs.    JOHN 

With  aPortra; 

moir  of  Miss  C.  CUSH 

SEFTON. 

moir  of  Mi- 

MAN. 

HAMBLIN. 

VOL.  XIII. 

VOL.  XIV. 

VOL.  XV.                      VOL.  XVI.      ; 

'<    97.  Soldier's  Daughter, 

105.  Game  of  Love, 

113.  Ireland  As  It  Is, 

121.  The  T 

93.  Douglas, 

106.  Midsummer   Night's 

114.  Sea  of  Ice. 

122.  The  PilJrP 

99.  Marco  Spada, 

Dream, 

115.  Seven  Clerks, 

123.  Carpenter 

100.  Nature's  Nobleman, 

107.  Ernestine, 

116.  Game  of  Life, 

124.  Kin«'  - 

101.  Sardanapalus, 

X)8.  Rag  Picker  of  Paris, 

117.  Forty  Thi 

125.  Little  Trea 

102.  Civilization, 

109.  Firing  Dutchman, 

118.  Brvan  Boroihme, 

126.  Dombev  HL.;  -on, 

103.  The  Robbers, 
104.  Katharine   and    Pe- 

110.  Hvpocrke, 
111.  Therese, 

119.  Romance  &  Reality. 
120.  Ugolino, 

127.  Purente  »i. 
128.  J.  * 

truchio. 

112.  La  Tour  de  Nesle, 

With  »  Pertrait  and  Me 

With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

With  a  Portrait  and  Me 

moir    of   Mr.   EDWIN 

moir     of     Mr.    JOHN 

moir  of  Mr.  BARNEY 

FOREST. 

BROUGHAM. 

WILLIAMS. 

VOL.  XVII. 

VOL.  XVIII. 

VOL.  XIX. 

VOL.  XX 

129.  Camille, 

137.  Jfipht  and  Morning, 

145.  Dred.  or  the  Dismal 

153.  French  Spv, 

130.  Married  Life, 

138.  ^ihiop, 

Swamp, 

154.  Wept     of 

131.  Wenlock  of  Wenlock 

139.  Three  Guardsmen, 

146.  Last  Davs  of  Pom- 

Wish, 

132.  Rose  of  Ettrickvale, 

140.  Tom  Cringle,    (ken. 

147.  Esmeral.'la^      [peii, 

1,55.  Evil  G 

133.  David  Copperfield, 

141.  Henriette,  the  Forsa- 

148.  Peter  Wilkins, 

156.  Ben  Bolt, 

134.  Aline,  or  the  Rose  of 

]42.  EustacheRaudiu, 

149.  Ben  the  Boatswain, 

157.  Sailor  of  1 

135.  Pauline,  [Killarnev, 

143.  Ernest  Maltravers, 

150.  Jonathan  Bradford, 

158.  Red  Mask, 

136.  Jane  Eyre. 

144.  Bold  Dragoons. 

15S.  Retribution, 

159.  Life  of  an 

152.  Mineral!. 

160.  Wedding  Day. 

VOL.  XXI. 

VOL.  XXII. 

VOL.  XXIII. 

VOL.  XXIV. 

161.  All's  Fair  in  Lore, 

169.  Son  of  the  Night, 

177.  Actress  of  Padua, 

185.  Young  New  Yoi« 

162.  Hofer, 

170.  RorvO'More, 

178.  Floating  Beacon, 

186.  The  Victims. 

163.  Self, 

171.  Golden  Eagle, 

179.  Bride  of   Lammer- 

187  Romance  a 

164.  Cinderella, 
165,  Phantom, 

172.  Rienzi. 
173.  Broken  Sword, 

moor,                [ges, 
180.  Cataract  of  the  Gan- 

188  Brigand,           fri* 
189  Poor  of  HewTM 

166.  Franklin, 

174.  Rip  Van  Winkle, 

181.  Robber  of  the  Rhine 

190  Ambrose  Gwinetjl 

167.  The  Gunmaker  of 

175.  Isabelle. 

182.  School  of  Reform, 

191  Raymond  and  AJm 

Moscow, 

176,  Heart  of  Midlothian. 

183.  Wandering  Boys, 

192  Guiubkr'sV^H 

1«8.  The  Love  of  a  Prince 

184.  Mazeppa. 

[  Catalogue  continued  on  third  page  of  cover.'] 

FRENCH'S  STANDARD  DRAMA. 

No.  CCXX. 


THE  VETERAN ; 


OR, 


FRANCE  AND  ALGERIA. 

^  grama, 

IN    SIX    TABLEAUX, 

BT 

J.  LESTER  WALLACE, 

AS  PERFORMED  AT  WALLACK'S   THEATER,  JANUARY  17,  18 


NEW     YORK: 

SAMUEL     FRENCH, 

122  NASSAU  STREET.  (Up  STAIRS.) 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
iDAVIS 


CAST  Of  THE  CHARACTER'S.—  [  THE 


As  performed  at  Wallack's  Theater,  New  York,  January, 


Colonel  Del-mar  ....................  .....  Mr  Wallack. 

Leon  Delmarf  bis  {5on  .  ,  ............  .....    "     Lester  Wallack 

Eugene,  the  Colonel's  Protege.  .....  .  ......    t:    Wheatleigh. 

Captain  Bclmont  ............  .......  ....    "    Levere. 

Lieutenant  Morticr.  .-.,....•,  ..............   "    Lascelles. 

Lieutenant  Lorielle  ...........  .........  .  .    :t    Tree. 

The  Emir  Mohammed,  an  Arab  Chief.  .....   "    Dyott. 

Ofl-an-agan,  Grand  Vizier  ...............   "    Brongham, 

The  Sultan  of  Mijra  ....  ...........  ......   "    Bangs. 

Oglou  ....................  .....  ,  ____  ...   '•    Chippendale*/ 

Hassan  Noitreddin.  .  ......  .  .......  ......    "    Young. 

Mustapha  Moulrad  .......  „  ........  .....  .    "    Jeffries. 

Seyd  .........  ,  ........................   '•'    Parsloe* 

Osman  ....  ........  .  ,  ..................    ':    Oliver. 

Sergeant  Sampson  ......  .  .......  .  ........   "    Bernard. 

Sergeant  Beaucour  .........  .............    £:    Hodges. 

Mrs.  MacShake  .,  .....  ,  .........  .  .......  Mrs.  Yernon, 

Blanche  Delmar  ...................  .....  Miss  Gannon. 

Amineh,  Sister  to  the  Emir.  .....  .........  Mrs.  Hoe}'. 

Gulnare,  Chief  Sultana  ........  ......  ....  Mrs.  Sloan, 

Zaida  ............  ..................  ...  Miss  Orton. 

Aura,  an  Almeh  ..  .......     f!    Ernestine 


STAGE     DIRECTIONS. 

L.  means  First  Entrance,  Left.  R.  First  Entrance,  Right.  S.  E.  L. 
Second  Entrance,  Left.  S.  E.  R.  Second  Entrance,  Right.  U.  E.  L. 
Upper  Entrance,  Left.  U.  E.  R.  Upper  Entrance,  Right.  C.  Center, 
L.  C.  Left  Center.  R.  C.  Right  of  Centre.  T.  E.  L.  Third  Entrance, 
Left.  T.  E.  R.  Third  Entrance' Right.  C.  D.  Center  Doer.  D.  R. 
Door  Right.  D.  L,  Door  Left.  '  It  D.  L.  Uppei'  Door,  Left.  U.  D.  R. 
Upper  Door,  Right. 

%*  The  reader  is  supposed  to  be  on  the  Stage,  feeing  the  Audience. 

Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  rear  1S59.  by  J.  LESTF.R  WALr-ACK,  in  the  Clerk** 
Office  of  the  District  Ceftrt  of  tUe  United  States  for  the  Sw.hern  District  of  Xsw  Yoyu. 


THE    VETERAN 


ACT    I. 

t 

l.-^-France — An   elegant  apartment    in   the  villa  of  COLONEL 
DELMAR. 

EUGENE  discovered  standing  in  a  traveling  costume  tvith  his  cap  in  his  hand 
— Louis  just  finishing  lighting  the  canddabras — The  COLONEL'S  swordi 
cap  and  sash  are  on  the  sofa — Two  SEUTAXTS  discovered  drafting  cur~ 
tains. 

Eugene.  The  Colonel  has  dined,  you  say? 

Louis.  Just  finished,  sir;  told  me  to  bring  lights  and  to  say  he  would 
be  with  you  directly. 

Eug.  Are  not  those  his  sword  and  sash  ? 

Louis.  Yes,  sir  5  he  has  been  sitting  for  his  portrait  in  uniform  to 
day,  for  Miss  Blanche. 

Eug.  You  gave  him  the  dispatch  I  brought  1 

Louis.  Yes,  sir. 

Colonel.  [  Without.']  Yery  well ;  when  he  returns  tell  him  to  come 
to  me. 

Louie.  Thnt  is  the  Colonel's  voice,  sir; 

Enter  COLOSKI,  DELMAR — Etit  Lotus. 

Colonel.  Ah,  Eugene  !  my  boy  !  glad  to  see  you*    Hate  you  dined  1 

Eug.  Thank  you,  yes,  sir  ;  on  the  road. 

Co/,  On  the  road— sorry  for  ye— frog  soup,  hard  bread,  bad  butter  j 
never  mind,  we'll  have  supper  by  and  by.  How  sit  ye  down. 

Eug.  I  trust  the  ladies  are  well,  and  Leon  1 

Col.  Oh.  yes,  thank  ye,  all  well ;  and  the  regiment — my  children, 
my  lambs)  eh  1 

Eug.  All  well,  sir,  only  longing  to  see  the  Colonel  back  again. 

Col.  What !  the  villains  !  do  they  grudge  me  a  month's  leave  of  ab 
sence  now  and  then.  Well,  well,  all  that's  over  now,  and  as  you've 
been  a  good  boy  lately,  Eugene,  you  shall  know  the  contents  of  the 
dispatch  you  brought  me.  What  think  you  of  marching  orders,  my 
hid  1 

Euy.  For  the  regiment,  bir  1 


1'HE   VETERAN. 

CoL  "  For  the  regiment,"  of  course.  You  don't  suppose  they'd 
Bend  me  without  the  regiment,  do  you  ? 

Bug.  Noj  sir  {  but— 

Col.  -'But,"  but  what? 

Eug.  Might  I  ask  tvhers  we  are  going  1 

Cot.  To  be  sure,  that's  the  best  of  the  tidings.  To  Algiers!  Algiers, 
my  boy  !  think  of  that!  Aha!  there's  your  other  epaulette  in  per 
spective  for  ye. 

Eug.  [Akide.]  Ob,  Blanche,  how  s-hall  I  te!l  you  this ! 

Col.  Eh,  what's  that  about  Blanche? 

Eug.  Oh,  I  was  merely  remarking  that  the  parting  from  you  will  bo 
a  sad  day  for  Miss  Blanche. 

Col.  Why,  yes.  I  do  Hatter  myself  that  my  little  niece  is  fond  of  me, 
and  will  feel  my  absence — but  I've  a  plan  with  regard  to  her  5  and, 
as  I  always  consider  every  one's  convenience,  1  think  you'll  say  when 
you  hear  it,  that  I've  chalked  out  a  very  l;appy  existence  for  her. 

Eug.  [Aside.]  A  plan  with  regard  to  Blanche,  This  will  be  worth 
hear;  n  gi 

Cut.  By  the  by,  Eugene,  what  do  you  think  of  my  English  connee* 
tiun,  Mrs.  MacShake? 

Eug.  A  dignified  sort  of  person,  sir. 

Col.  Yes,  she  is  that)  certainly. 

Eug.  And  uncommonly  fund  of  you,  sir* 

Col.  D'ye  think  so  1  [Aside.]  He  sees  it,  I  knew  I  was  right.  I  say 
Eugene,  she's  a  widow,  you  kno\v. 

Eug.  Yes,  sir— so  I've  understood. 

Col.  Yes— and  when  a  widow  invites  herself  to  stay  a  week  or  two, 
and  then  makes  it  a  month  or  two— installing  herself  as  one  of  the 
family  in  the  meanwhile,  and  sticking  to  you  lilte  a  leech — why  then, 
Eugene,  then — 

Eug.  What,  sir? 

Col.  Oh,  nothing — only  I'm  devilsh  glad  we're  going  to  Algicrs-*- 
that's  all.  Where's  Leon  ? 

Eug.  Louis  informed  me  that  he  has  been  out  with  his  gun  two 
hours  ago,  sir. 

Col.  Glad  of  it.  The  more  he  sticks  to  rural  sports,  and  the  less 
he  thinks  of  the  army,  the  better  I  like  it.  Somebody  must  stay  at 
home  and  take  care  of  the  estate.  Every  French  family  should  have 
at  least  one  soldier  in  it,  and  as  I  always  study  everybody's  conveni 
ence,  why  I'll  go  to  Algiers  and  reap  glory,  and  he  shall  stay  at  homo 
and  reap  corn. 

Eug.  And  Miss  Blanche,  sir  ? 

Col  Aha  1  that's  it.  I  mean  to— but  Mrs.  MacShake  will  be  ia 
presently,  and  I've  a  little  family  arrangement  to  disclose  to  her 
which  you  may  stay  and  hear  if  you  like. 

Eug.  [Aside.]  It  may  concern  Blanche.  [Aloud.]  Anything  affect 
ing  your  family,  my  dear  sir,  must  always  interest  me. 

Col.  Thankye,  my  boy,  thankye,  I  believe  you  are  sincere,  too—but 
harkye,  Eugene. 

Eug.  Well,  sir? 


THE    VETERAN.  5 

Col.  I  want  you  to  hand  Mrs.  MacShake  to  a  chair,  when  eho  comes 
in. 

Eug.  Mrs.  MacShake  is  very  punctilious  sir,  and  she'll  surely  ex 
pect  you  to  extend  that  courtesy. 

Col.  Yes,  exactly — but  I'd  rather  not  extend  it  to-day. 

Eug.  Why,  sir,  you  always  do. 

Col.  Yes — I  know— but— the  fact  is— I— you— hang  it,  boy,  I  don't 
like  my  hand  squeezed  by  a  widow. 

Eug.  Oh  !  that's  it.     Why,  sir — she  may  squeeze  mine. 

Col.  No,  she  won't.  You're  a  Lieutenant — she's  too  old  a  soldier 
to  squeeze  for  anything  under  a  Major. 

Eug.  Why,  sir — you  surely  don't  suspect— 

Col.  Yes  I  do.  I  more  than  suspect.  I'm  an  old  campaigner — 
you're  a  young  one  ;  and  as  I  always  study  every  one's  convenience, 
I'll  give  you  both  my  experience  and  advice.  Experience. — When 
they  sigh,  they're  plotting  mischief — when  they  ogle,  they're  at  it — 
when  they  squeeze  your  hand,  they've  nearly  done  it.  Advice. — 
When  they  sigh,  suspect — when  they  ogle,  observe — when  they 
squeeze,  run. 

Eug.  Odd  advice  for  a  soldier,  sir. 

Col.  Can't  help  that — it's  your  only  chance.  I'm  a  Frenchman,  'tis 
true,  but  I  don't  think  I've  much  of  our  national  gallantry — I  don't 
know  why — soldier's  life,  perhaps.  I  hope  the  widow  won't  try  it  on 
too  far — for  though  not  gallant,  I  trust  I'm  polite,  and  as  I  always 
study  everyone's  convenience,  I  don't  want  to  tell  her  to  go  to  the 
devil ! 

Eug.  That  much  of  gallantry  I  certainly  do  give  you  credit  for, 
Colonel. 

Col.  Here  she  comes— oh  !  one  thing  more— promise  me  you  won't 
leave  the  room  while  she's  in  if? 

Eug.  My  dear  sir — 

Col.  You  must,  I  tell  you — 1  sought  this  interview,  but  I  don't 
want  to  be  left  alone  with  her  any  more. 

Enter  MRS.  MicSriAKE,  R.  2  E. 

Mrs.  M.  Good  morning,  cousin — I  received  your  message,  and  on 
the  wings  of  affection  and  family  feeling,  I  come  punctually  to  the 
hour. 

Col.  [Aside  to  EUGENE.]  D'ye  hear  that — she's  beginning  <o  talk  about 
wings.  Cupid  has  wings — Oh,  Lord  !  [Aloud.]  Pray  sit  down.  Lieu 
tenant,  conduct  Mrs.  MacShake  to  a  seat. 

[She  avoids  EUGENE  and  puts  her  hand  into  that  of  the  COLONEL. 

[Aside,  as  he  hands  her  to  sofa,  L.J  Failure  of  manoeuvre  the  first.  Sit 
her  out,  my  boy — sit  her  out. 

Mrs.M.  Eh  7 

Col.  I'm  telling  him  to  sit  down. 

Mrs.  M.  Ah  !  then  I  suppose  he  is  to  be  a  party  to  your  communi 
cation.  Well,  proceed  Colonel,  I'm  all  attention. 

Col.  You  are  aware,  Mrs.  MacShake,  that  I  always  study  every  one's 
convenience. 

Mrs.  M.  1  often  hear  you  say  so. 


o  T)JE    VETERAN. 

Col.  Why,  yes — I  believe  I  do  repeat  it  now  and  then,  but  this  is  a 
confounded  ungrateful  world  we  live  in,  ma'am,  and  if  you  don't  cram 
your  good  qualities  down  the  throat  of  society,  you'll  never  get  any 
credit  lor  them. 

.!/>.•?.  M.  There  may  be  some  truth  in  that,  too. 

Cut.  Well,  madam,  to  prove  that  in  this  case,  at  least,  I  truly  do 
myself  justice,  I  will  without  further  preface,  inform  you  that  I  have 
received  orders  for  foreign  service,  and  as  there's  no  knowing  what  may 
be  the  result  as  regards  my  own  fate,  I  have  determined  to  consum 
mate  a  design  I  have  long  set  my  heart  upon — I  mean  the  marrying 
rny  niece  Blanche  to  my  son  Leon.  [EUGENE  starts  up,  COLONEL  s'ops 
him.']  What  are  you  about  1  Sit  down.  I  have  left  them  this  estate 
and  farm,  so  that  whatever  happens  to  me,  my  dear  boy  will  have  a 
home  and  domestic  lies  to  prevent  him  from  becoming  a  wild  roaming 
old  good  for  nothing,  like  his  father — I  shall  see  them  comfortably 
married  before  I  start,  and — 

Eug.  [Aside.']  lean  bear  this  no  longer.  [Going. 

Col.  Hallo!  here — stop!  Eugene,  where  the  deuce  are  you  going? 

Eug.  Excuse  me,  sir — I — 1  I'm  not  very  well — a  sudden  faintness, 
I  wan't  air — pray  pardon  me.  [Exit,  2  E.  R.  H. 

Col.  Want  air — why,  damn  it,  all  the  windows  are  open.  What  is 
the  matter  with  the  boy  1  Here,  Eugene  ! 

Mrs.  M.  Colonel,  permit  me  to  suggest  that  you  had  better  allow 
the  young  gentleman  to  recover  himself — he  was  evidently  very  indis 
posed,  he  seemed  almost  choking. 

Col.  Choking!  what!  a  subaltern — when  his  Colonel  required  his 
attention— to  dare  to  choke  !  Pretty  dicipline,  upon  my  word  ! 

Mrs.  M.  Pray  let  me  intercede  for  hi"m — 

Col.  Well,  as  I  always  study  every  one's  convenience,  he  may  choke 
this  time,  but  don't  let  him  try  it  again,  that's  all. 

Enter  BLANCHE,  L.  2.  E. 

Well,  to  resume  ;  as  I  said,  I  intend — ah,  here  is  Blanche. 

Blanche.  What's  the  matter,  my  dear  Colonel  ?  I  thought  I  heard 
your  voice  in  anger. 

Mrs.  M.  Good  evening,  Blanche  dear.  The  Colonel  and  myself  were 
discussing  a  matter  that  it  would  be  as  well  perhaps  for  you  to  be 
consulted  on. 

Col.  What — consulted  1  Not  at  all ;  there  is  no  consultation  in  the 
case.  Decision— decision's  the  word,  madam.  However  as  I  don't 
like  to  bo  abrubpt  [crosses] — my  dear,  you're  going  to  be  married  on 
Thursday. 

Blanche.  Sir! 

Col.  To  my  son,  Leon. 

Blanche.  Sir,  I— 

Col.  All  settled,  my  dear — duly  discussed  in  a  council  of  three, 
called  for  the  occasion. 

Blanche.  My  dear  sir,  you're  surely  not  in  earnest? 

Col.  The  devil  I'm  not !  Wait  till  Thursday,  that's  all.  Council 
of  three,  I  tell  ye — Mrs.  MacShake  Eugene,  and  myself.  Mrs. 
MacShake  is  here  to  congratulate  you  ;  Pmhere  to  congratulate  you  ; 


THE    VSTEKAX.  i 

and  Eugene — oh  no.;  by  the  by.  he's  gone  out  to  choke;    but  be'll 
£>e  here  presently,  1  suppose. 

Jflirjiche.  But,  sir,  does — does  Leon  know  of  this  1 

Col.  Lord  ble.ss  ye,  no.  Plenty  of  time  for  that.  He's  a  fiue  lad — 
keen  brought  up  with  proper  notions  of  <iuty  and  obedience. 

Blnnclif.  But,  sir,  he  don't — 

Col.  I  know,  I  know.  You're  going  to  say  he  don't  love  you — 
iiever  mind,  he'll  marry  you  to  oblige  me  ^  and,  egad,  he'll  love  you 
i;oou  enough — for  you  are  a  darling  good  little  gui,  and  no  one  can 
well  Lelp  iuving  you.  You  see,  rny  dear,  I'm  suddenly  ordered  oil 
out  of  France,  which  has  ind-iced  m-j  to  expedite  this  matter  a  little. 
Let.  me  see — twelve,  yea,  twelve  o'clock — we'll  have  the  wedding  on 
Thursday  at,  twelve. 

Mrs.  J7.  And,  pray,  may  I  ask  when  do  you  mean  to  inform  your 
fion  1 

Col.  On  Thursday,  at  half-past  eleven. 

Mrs.  JL  What? 

Cd.  Oh,  bless  your  souli  I'll  show  you  an  example  of  filial  obe 
dience — a  vindication  of  my  system  of  rearing  a  son.  A  wedding  and 
a.  champagne  breakfast  all  on  the  same  morning.;  and  if  that  L-u't  a 
day's  treat,  I  don't  know  what  is. 

jKlancJie.  Uncle,  I  must,  once  for  all — 

Col.  I  know,  I  know.  Gratitude,  delight,  thanks,  &c.,  &-c.  Never 
mind  all  that.  There,  give  me  a  kiss.;  and  now  I'll  leave  you. 
[Crosffs,  u.j  A  husband,  a  house,  a  farm — there's  a  prospect  for  you! 
Mrs.  MacSuake.  you  shall  superintend  all  the  preparations — there's  a 
prospect  for  you! 

M.VS.  M.  In  the  meantime.  Colonel,  you  and  I  will  take  a  little 
Mroll,  and  talk  it  over. 

Col.  [Aside.]  There's  a  prospect  for  me* 

[Exeutii  COLOXEI,  and  Mus.  MA^SHAEK.  through  window. 

Blanche,  Oh  J  this  is  dreadful !     \Yluil  will  poor  Eugene  say  '\ 

[Sinks  into  a  chair. 
E/i'er  EUGENE,  K.  2  i:. 

Eug.  Blanche  deareet,  have  you  heard — 

Blanche.  I  have,  I  have.  What  is  to  be  done?  Oh,  Eugene,  did  I 
not  frankly  tell  you  that  my  position  was  that  of  a  dependent,  penni 
less  orphan  1  Did  I  not  warn  you  that  our  concealed  engagement 
could  never  end  in  happiness? 

Eug.  You  did  ;  I  admit  it.  But  is  it  not  cruel  to  think  that  our 
most  sacred  hopes  and  aspirations  must  thus  be  yielded  up — that  be 
cause  we  are  dependent  and  penniless— because  we  are  destitute  of  all 
but  the  heart's  pure  affections,  thcs2  very  affections  must  be  the  final 
sacrifice  to  fate? 

Blanche.  It  is — it  Is.  But  what's  the  use  of  romantic  speeches. 
You,  as  well  as  myself,  owe  a  deep  debt  of  gratitude  to  my  kind 
uncle.  Here  is  a  project  that  he  has  evidently  been  nursing  for  some 
time,  arid  which,  if  carried  out,  is  to  reconcile  him  in  some  measure  to 
parting  with  his  darling  son.  Can  we  then,  ought  we  to  thwart — 

Eug.  No.  no,  dear  Blanche,  but  if  Leon  himself  should  object. 


8  THK    VETERABT. 

Blanche.  But  ho  won't,  Eugene,  he  won't.  He's  such  an  amiably 
careless,  kind  creature,  that  to  oblige  his  father,  he'd  marry  me  if  I 
was  ever  so  old  and  ugly,  and  he  told  me  only  yesterday,  that  1  was 
a  pretty  little  pet.  Oh,  dear  1 

Bug.  He  did,  did  he  1 

Blanche.  Yes,  and  that  if  I  was  a  good  girl,  he'd  take  me  out  part 
ridge  shooting. 

JEuff.  How  very  kind. 

Blanche.  And  then  he  gave  me — ob,  dear !  ob,  dear  I 

Eug.  Gave  you — a  kiss  I  suppose  ? 

Blanche.  Two.     Oh,  ob,  oli  1  [Cries. 

Eug.  The  devil  he  did  !  There  are  but  two  chances  for  us — either 
to  marry  at  once  and  brave  everything  and  everybody,  or  to  enlist 
Leon  in  our  cause — and,  stay  1  a  thought  strikes  me.  [A  whistle  heard 
outside.]  Here  he  comes  ;  now,  while  I  speak  to  him,  do  you  go  and 
frankly  confide  our  secret  to  Mrs.  MacShake,  try  and  awake  her  sym 
pathies. 

Blanche.  I  can't — I  don't  know  how  to. 

Eug.  Love  must  inspire  you  dearest,  as  it  will  me— ^go  and  lose  not 
a  moment. 

Blanche.  I'll  go,  but  'twill  be  of  no  use.  I  see  the  end  of  it  all  :  1 
shall  be  married  against  my  will,  and  you'll  go  to  Algiers,  and  have 
your  head  cut  off  by  those  nasty  Arabs,  and  stuck  upon  a  pole. 

[Exit  crying,  2  E.  L.  H. 

Eug.  Dear  girl,  what  acbeerful  view  she  takes  of  everything.  Now 
for  my  project,  if  I  can  but  inspire  Leon  with  a  little  military  ardor, 
it  may  work  wonders  in  our  favor. 

Leon.  [  Without  R.]  Be  quiet,  ah — dogs — down  Fidele — down  Lady. 

Enter  LEON,  11.  2  E. 

Leon.  Confound  the  dogs,  one  would  suppose  a  couple  of  hours' 
run  would  tame  them  a  little.  Ah !  Eugene,  what  the  deuce  have  you 
been  doing  these  two  months?  Why  didn't  you  come  and  try  the 
birds  ? 

Eug.  I've  been  making  arrangements  for  a  different  kind  of  shoot 
ing,  my  boy,  we're  off. 

Leon.  Oh.  you're  off,  are  you?    Where  ? 

Eug.  Marching  orders — Algiers — glory— promotion  !  Pm  wild 
with  joy ! 

Leon.  1  dare  say  you  are.  Well,  every  man  to  bis  taste— oura 
differ. 

Eug.  They  do  indeed,  and  a  great  pity  it  is. 

Leon.  I  don't  see  that  at  all.  Each  has  his  own  way  and  both  are 
contented— a  rare  state  of  things  in  this  world,  my  boy — you're  a 
soldier,  I'm  a  sportsman — you  like  killing  men  and  putting  them  in  a 
pit — /like  killing  birds  and  putting  them  in  a  pie.  Your  game  is 
glory,  and  my  glory's  game  ! 

Eug.  I  don't  envy  you  the  difference,  Leon.  These  are  not  time! 
for  a  true  son  of  France  to  be  dangling  about  a  farm  yard  with  a 
lowling-piece  in  his  hand  instead  of  a  sabre.  Fanning— pshaw  ! 

Leon.  My  dear  fellow,  some  of  the  "Sons  of  France"  must  do  klu 


7  TIE    VETKKAX.  9 

farming,  or  it  will  bo  left  to  the  daughters,  and  I  don't  think  tbat 
would  be  a  convenient  arrangement. 

Eug.  True — there  must  be  tillers  of  the  soil— but  these  need  not 
be  chosen  from  men  of  your  stamp. 

Leon.  Well,  my  lather  doa't  at  ail  think  with  you  in  this  respect, 
for  his  greatest  desire  is  tbat  I  should  avoid  a  soldier's  life. 

Eug.  [Aside.}  Oh  Lord!  that's  a  poser.  But  iny  dear  Leon,  don't 
you  see  why  that  is  (or  rather  appears  to  be)  the  case?  It  is  because 
he  prrecives  no  signs  of  military  aspiration  in  you — because  he  would 
not  force  upon  you  that  which  might  be  distasteful — that  is  all. 

Lf.oii.  Are  you  sine  of  that  1 

Euy.  Certain.  In  his  secret  heart,  I  know  he  pants  to  discover  in 
you  one  Hga,  however  trifling,  of  admiration  for  the  deeds  of  our 
heroes,  or  of  ambition  to  emulate  them. 

7/60/1.  Then  why  don't  he  tell  me  sol  What's  the  use  of  panting 
when  he  might  do  so  much  more  by  explaining  1 

Eug.  My  dear  fellow,  you're  so  matter-of-fact.  His  delicacy  pre 
vents  him  from  even  hinting  a  desire  which  might  be  in  direct  oppo 
sition  to  your  own  wishes. 

Leon.  My  dear,  good  old  dad!  Then  how  charming  a  surprise 
would  it  be  for  him  if  I  should  at  once  throw  off  all  restraint  or  con 
cealment — burst  forth  into  military  ardor,  and  insist  on  accompany 
ing  him  in  his  next  campaign? 

Eug.  It  would !  it  would !  Think  of  storming  the  enemy's  camp — 
scattering  the  haughty  Arabs  like  sheep.! 

Leon.  It  would  be  exciting. 

Eug.  Would  it  not?  would  it  not?  By  heavens!  I  see  it  now. 
Your  father  mounts  the  breach — you  are  by  his  side — 

Leon.  [Goes  to  sofa,  L,.]  I  am!  I  am  !          [Seizing  EUGENE'S  sword. 

Eug.  Your  country's  flag  is  in  your  hand ! 

Leon.  [Seizing  afire  screen.}  It  is  ! 

Eug.  Your  right  arm  is  covered  with  the  blood  of  foes. 

Leon.  It  is — that  is  it  shall  be. 

Eug.  Look  at  it ;  how  gratifying  to  the  brave  heart. 

J^on.  And  how  trying  to  the  shirt  sleeves.  No  matter,  you've  fired 
my  soul. 

Eug.  [Aside.]  Bravo! 

Leon.  Where  were  we  1 

Eug.  In  the  breach. 

Leon.  Yes,  yes,  'tis  here.  [Jumps  over  sofa. 

Eug.  Now  we're  on  the  rampart. 

Leon.  {Jumping  on  table.]  We  are  ! 

Eug.  The  tricolor  waves  aloft ! 

Leon.  The  tricolor  is  only  one  color — but  no  matter — hurrah! 

Eug.  Hurrah !  an  Arab  attacks  your  parent. 

Leon.  He  does ! 

Eug.  You  cut  him  down! 

Leon.  I  do  !  come  and  be  the  Arab. 

Eug.  No,  no,  I  thank  you. 

Leon.  No  matter !  die  false  infidel !  France  has  one  foe  the  less.  [Stabs 
a  chair  and  throws  itdoii'n.]  Come  on  villains  ! 


10  TPIK    VETERAN. 

Eag.  Stop,  stop  !  you'll  destroy  the  furniture. 

Leon.  I  don't  care — I  may  as  well  kill  'era  all  while  I'm  at  it. 

[General  destruction  and  knockiny  about,  in  the  midst  of  which  the 
COLONEL.  MRS.  MAcSiiAKE,  c.,  BLANCHE,  L.,  and  servants  enter 
it.  and  L. 

Col.  What  the  devil's  the  matter  ! 

Leon.  Ha!  my  father's  saved  !  hurrah!  [Seizes  COLONEL— throws  h  im 
on  a  settee  and  stands  over  him.]  Shout !  ghout  1  I  say,  or  I'll  discharge 
ye  all.  [All  shout. 


ACT    II. 

SCENE  I. — The  Same.     Some  of  the  furniture,  supposed  to  have  been  broken, 
replaced  by  other  articles. 

The  COLONEL  discovered  at  table,  u. 

_  Col.  Here's  a  pretty  finish  to  all  my  long  and  dearly-cherished  de 
signs  for  the  happiness  of  that  ungrateful  young  scamp !  Upon  my 
life,  I  believe  he's  seized  with  a  sudden  fit  of  insanity.  [Rising.]  How 
ever,  he's  safely  locked  up.  And  now  let  me  reflect  how  this  sudden 
malady  is  to  be  counteracted.  Who  can  hare  put  such  notions  into 
his  head  1  It  can't  be  Eugene;  for  he  was  evidently  trying  to  re 
strain  him.  By  Jupiter,  here's  Mrs.  MacShake  ;  and  we  shall  be  alone 
together,  in  the  teeth  of  all  my  precautions.  Her  countenance  wears 
an  expression  of  momentous  import.  I  see  it  ;  she  has  taken  advan 
tage  of  a  temporary  confusion  in  our  ranks,  to  try  a  decisive  charge. 
Good  generalship  ;  but  I  shall  meet  it  with  my  reserve. 

Enter  Mus.  MACSHAKE,  L.  2  E. 

Mrs.  M.  Colonel,  I  wish  for  a  few  moments'  private  conversation. 

Cnl.  [Aside.]  Private — I  knew  it.  [Aloud."]  Certainly,  madam. 

Mrs.  M.  [Aside,  as  the  COLONEL  places  choirs.]  He  seems  tolerably 
calm.  Now  to  keep  my  promise  to  poor  little  Blanche,  and  to  inter 
cede  for  the  the  lovers.  Colonel,  my  unaffected  sympathy  with  your 
disappointment  in  regard  to  some  family  arrangements,  in  which  you 
have  been  for  the  moment  thwarted,  will  be  the  best  proof  to  you  of 
the  disinterestedness — 

Col.  [Aside.]  That's  the  word  ;  they  always  begin  by  being  disin 
terested. 

Mrs.  M.  Sir- 
Col.  Nothing.  I  beg  your  pardon  ;  proceed. 

Mrs.  M.  Of  the  disinterestedness  of  my  feelings  in  what  I  am  going 
to  propose. 


THE   VETEHAN.  11 

Col.  [Aside.]  She's  going  to  propose.    Courage,  my  boy  ;  be  firm. 

Mrs.  M.  You  will  be  disposed,  1  presume,  to  admit  that  your  man 
agement  of  family  matters  has  been,  in  some  degree,  erroneous — that, 
in  short,  all  jour  long-cherished  plans  are  overturned,  as  it  were,  at  u 
single  blow. 

Col.  Overturned,  madam  1    No,  checked,  merely  checked. 

Mrs.  J/.  Well,  you  admit  you've  been  checked  1 

Col.     Yes,  madam,  but  I  don't  mean  to  be  mated. 

Mrs.  M.  Eh  ?    Really,  I  don't  quite  comprehend. 

Col.  Oli.  a  mere  exclamation — Do  you  play  at  chess  '1 

Mrs.  M.  No— why  7 

Col.  No  matter— Pray  goon. 

Mrs.  M.  Before  offering  my  assistance  to  set  matters  right,  I  must 
inform  you  that  a  sentiment  has  found  its  way  into  the  heart  of  an 
individual  in  this  house. 

Col.  Madam,  I  know  it  has,  and,  as  I  always  study  every  one's  con 
venience — 

Mrs.  M.  You  will,  of  course,  allow  me  to  proceed  without  interrup 
tion — of  an  individual,  indeed,  I  should  say  of  two  individuals — 

Col.  [Aside.]  Well,  that's  cool.  [Aloud.]  I  beg  madam,  you'll  ans 
wer  for  yourself  alone. 

Mrs.  M.  In  this  case.  I'm  compelled  to  speak  for  others.  I  certainly 
do  think  it  a  great  pity,  they  don't  speak  for  themselves. 

Col.  [Aside.]  Well  if  that's  not  a  broad  hint— I  don't  know  what  is. 

Mrs.  M.  I  see  you  understand  me.     I  need  mention  no  names. 

Col.  Oh,  no!  Its  plain  enough. 

Mrs.  M.  Pray  Colonel,  sit  a  little  nearer  tome. 

Col.  Some  pitying  cherub  hover  near  me. 

Mrs.  M.  [Aside.]  1  wish  Blanche  were  here.  [Aloud]  There  is  a 
cherub  nearer  to  you  than  you  think. 

Col.  [Aside.]  The  vain  old  devil ! 

Mrs.  M.  Though  that  dear  cherub  might  feel  no  hesitation  in  declar 
ing  her  feelings — he — 

Col.  [Aside]  Meaning  me. 

Mrs.  M.  He  would  hesitate.  But  why  should  hel  Why  should  he 
not  rather  declare  the  adoration  which  I  know  has  long  lain  concealed 
in  his  trembling  heart.  I  actually  saw  it  before  he  himself  suspected 
it. 

Col.  [Aside.]  You  did  indeed  ! 

Mrs.  M.  Then  why  not  declare  himself?  Would  he  not  be  received 
with  favor — with  forgiveness — with  affection  1 

Col.  There's  not  the  least  doubt  but  he  would,  madame. 

Mrs.  M.  Indeed  !  Then  my  point  is  gained.  [Rises. 

Col.  Eh! 

Mrs.  M.    Not  a  word — not  a  word  more — you  dear,  good  creature. 
I'll  leave  you  now.     I'll  go  and  convey  this  joyful  news  ;  I'm  delight 
ed  at  this  most  unexpected  success. 
Col.  Bat  I  tell  you  ma'am — 

Mrs  M.  Farewell — farewell — I've  a  thousand  things  to  do  and  to 
say,  and  I  shan't  be  happy  till  they're  done  and  said.  Good  by — oh, 
you  dear,  good  creature  !  [Exit,  2  E.  L.  11. 


J2  TMK    VKTPRA.'-. 

Col.  It's  all  over  with  me.  She's  gone  for  a  priest  or  perhaps  she's 
made  up  her  mind  to  marry  me  at  the  same  time  that  my  son  marries 
Blanche.  Insatiate  spirit  of  matrimony  !  Could  not  one  sacrifice 
content  thee  1  must  ye  have  two  victims  on  the  same  day  ?  at  the  same 
altar?  Two,  victims  did  I  say?  aye — but  how  different  our  cases.  L^on 
is  happy — happy  because  unconscious.  He  grasps  the  torch  of  Hymen 
beholding  nothing  but  its  brightness,  whilst  /  have  it  applied  to  me. 
knowing  by  experience  how  damnably  I  shall  be  s-corched.  Hey  day  ! 
stop  though!  v:ill  he  marry]  will  he  conform  to  my  wishes  now  ht;> 
got  the  confounded  sword  and  musket  madness  on  him  '1 

Enter  LEON,  C.  at  lack. 

On  one  thing  I'm  determined  however — he's  in  his  own  room,  and  he 
phan't  leave  it  until  I've  given  this  new  fancy  it's  death-blow.  At 
any  rale,  he  ^hall  never,  with  my  consent  go  to — 

Leon.  [WIio  has  seated  himself  R*  and  taken  a  book  begins  to  read  aloud.] 
%i  War,  its  causes  and  consequences  by  Henri  Dupeltier.'? 

Col.  By  all  that's  impudent,  he's  left  his  room  without  permission. 
Stay,  what  ia  he  reading?  [Conceals  himself.] 

Leon.  [Reading.]  "  But  it  is  not  always  that  victories,  however  bril* 
liant,  will  ensure  satisfactory  success,  or  prevent  the  victors  them 
selves  from  becoming  ultimately  severe  sufferers  ;  and  wellhasmoney 
been  called  the  sinews  of  war  ;  for  if  the  poorer  party  be  the  victor, 
the  expenses  he  may  have  undergone,  however  trifling,  may  still  leave 
him  the  greater  sufferer,  inasmuch  as  he  could  Itss  afford  a  small  sac 
rifice  than  his  antagonist  a  large  one."  Hum  ! 

Col.  Well,  sir  !  and  what  do  you  think  of  that  1 

Leon.  Why,  sir  !  I'm  just  thinking  what  I  think  of  it. 

Col.  And  pray,  what  what  should  /  think  of  an  undutiful  young 
scamp  who  has  dared  to  leave  his  room  in  direct  opposition  to  my 
express  desire  1 

Leon.  I  could'nt  presume  to  dictate  thoughts  to  my  parents. 

Col.  How  came  you  to  leave  your  room,  I  say  ] 

Leon.  I  left  my  room,  father,  because  I  found  the  door  open. 

Col  Why,  sir,  I  locked  you  in,  and  here's  the  key.  So  when  did 
you  find  the  door  open  1 

Leon.  When  I  had  taken  off  the  lock. 

Col.  Well,  of  all  Abe  insolent— Oh  !  you  took  the  lock  off,  did  you? 
[Makes  mem.  in  note-book.}  Very  well ! 

Leon.  Yes,  sir!  very  well!  for  I  did  not  injure  the  door  in  the 
least. 

Col.  None  of  your  small  wit,  sir.  Sit  clown  here  and  answer  me 
truly,  what  do  you  mean  by  this  sudden  assumption  of  military 
ardoi  1 

Leon.  Assumption,  sir!  there's  no  assumption  in  the  case — and 
now  let  us  have  no  further  concealment  from  each  other. 

Col.  Concealment !     What  d'ye  mean  1 

Leon.  My  dear  father !  the  long  cherished  wish  of  your  secret 
heart  shall  be  gratified. 

Col.  Long  cherished  wish  of  the  devil  !  What  are  you  talking 
about  1 


THE    VKTRRAX.  13 

Leon.  Yes!  yes!  together  \vc  will  mount  the  ramparts  of 

Col.  [Rising.}  If  you  begin  that  foolery  again,  I'll  break  your 
head.  Listen  to  me.'  [Sits— aside .]  I'll  try  and  give  him  a  sick 
ener  of  war  in  oi:e  respect  however.  I  believe  your  quarterly  allow 
ance  is  due  to-day  ? 

Leon.  I  believe  it  is,  sir. 

Col.  Well,  you  won't  have  to  wait.  I  am  pretty  exact  in  my  pay 
ments  of  it. 

Leon.  Punctuality  in  that  respect,  I  have  always  remarked,  is  one 
of  the  most  estimable  of  your  many  virtues. 

Col.  I  don't  want  any  compliments,  sir  !     There's  your  money. 

Leon.  [Rises.]  [About  to  pocket  it.]  Thank  you.  sir. 

CoL  Stay  !     You'd  better  count  it. 

Leon.  My  dear  sir ! 

Col.  I'd  rather  you  did. 

Leon.  Oh,  well/  [Counts  it. 

Col  Well— all  right  1 

Leon.  Why  !  to  say  the  truth ~ 

Col  What !  not  right  1 

Leon.  Not  quite. 

Col  Why,  what's  your  allowance  1 

Leon.  8,000  francs  a  year,  sir. 

Col  Making  2000  a  quarter  ? 

Leon.  Precisely,  sir — but  1  have  here  only  990  francs. 

Col  Ah !  you  have  not  looked  at  the  paper  the  money  was  wrapped 
in? 

Leon.  No. 

Col.  Well,  do. 

Leon.  [Heads.']  '-Leon  Delmar,  Jr  ,  to  Leon  Delmar,  Jr.,  Dr.  To  sund 
ry  articles  of  furniture  destroyed  in  battle,  1000  francs — To  patent 
lock  to  dressing-room  door,  10  francs — Total,  1010  francs.  Received 
payment."  Signed  "Leon  Delmar." 

Col  [  Who  has  taken  up  the  book — reads.]  "  For  if  the  poorer  party 
be  the  victor,  the  expenses  he  may  have  undergone,  however  trifling, 
may  still  leave  him  the  greater  sufferer,  inasmuch  as  he  could  less 
afford  a  small  sacrifice  than  his  antagonist  a  large  one."  What  do 
you  think  of  that,  now  ? 

Leon.  I  have  experienced  its  truth,  at  any  rate. 

Col.  Heyday !  here's  another  passage  marked  down — why  you're 
quite  a  student!  Let  me  see.  Perhaps  we  may  find  a  way  of  illus 
trating  this  too.  "  Trophies  of  war  are,  for  the  most  part,  but  bitter 
remembrances,  the  retention  and  exhibition  of  them  fostering  and  re 
viving  hostile  sentiments.  It  would  be  as  well,  therefore,  that,  on 
the  conclusion  of  a  war,  all  trophies  of  victory  should  be  returned  to 
their  original  owners."  Certainly. 

Leon.  Certainly.  There's  your  lock,  sir,  and  I'll  trouble  you  for  10 
francs. 

Col  Eh  !  well,  come — the  retort  is  a  fair  one — you  don't  get  much 
by  it  though.  [Giving  10  francs — Crosses  to  L. 

Leon.  No  ;  but  it  carries  out  the  principle. 

Col.  And  now.  my  dear  boy.  let  ua  have  a  little  serious  and  rational 


THK    VfiTKRAN. 

chat.    What  the  deuce  caused  this  sudden  revolution  in  all  yonr 
ideas  1 

Leon.  It  was  sudden,  was'nt  it? 

Col.  You  never  displayed  any  military  enthusiasm  before, 
Lton.  Never, 

Cut.  You  were  always  contented  with  things  as  they  were  1 
Leon.  Quite. 

Col.  I've  just  proved  to  you  that  war   may  sometimes  turn  out  a 
losing  game. 
Lean.  You  have. 

Col.  Then  what  should  induce  you  to  persevere  in  this  nonsense  ? 
Lcc-n.  Love  for  my  father,  and  a  due  regard  to  the  longcherit-hed-— 
Col.  Stuff  and  hmbug,  &ir  ?    I  wish  you'd   cherub,  a  little  common 
Reuse. 

Leon.  A  natural  longing — hand  in  hand  with  you  to  mount  the 
rampart — 

Col.  I  tell  you  what — if  you  mount  the  rampart  again,  I'll  knock 
you  oft'  of  it  as  flat  as  a  flounder.  You'll  drive  me  mad  !  Who  the 
devil  put  such  an  idea  into  your  head  ? 

Leon.  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me,  on  your  honor,  sir,  that  it  is  not 
the  real  desire  of  your  heart  that  I  should  become  a  soldier  ? 
Col.  On  my  honor  it  is  not. 
Leon.  [Partly  aside.']  He  is  mistaken  then. 
Col.  He  is,  most  confoundedly,  whoever  he  may  be. 
Leon.  Well,  my  dear  sir,  my  first  wish  is  to  gratify  you. 
Col.  Thank  you,  thank  you,  my  dear  boy — and  you'll  remain  on 
the  farm  1 

Leon.  To  be  sure,  sir,  if  you  desire  it. 

Col.  [Rising.]  Well  said  ;  and  after  all,  what  nobler  employment 
can  there  be  for  a  gentleman  than  the  culture  of  the  land. 
Leon.  None,  sir. 

Col.  Improving  our  breeds  of  cattle,  sheep  and  above  all,  of  horses. 
Leon.  True  sir,  true. 

Col.  Imagine  my  delight  on  my  return  from  campaigning,  to  find 
my  son  with  an  improved  farm  to  show  me,  and  a  wife — 
Leon.  Oh,  I'm  to  be  married,  then  ? 
Col.  To  be  sure,  my  boy — you  won't  object  to  that  ? 
Leon.  Not  at  all. 

Col.  And  as  I  always  study  every  one's  convenience  I've  fixed  on 
the  lady. 

Leon.  Oh  !  you  have  ! 

Col.  Yes.  you'll  be  delighted — just  the  person  for  you— no  giddiness, 
steady,  sensible,  eh?  can't  you  guess 7     She's  in  the  house  now. 
Leon.  Mrs.  MacShake  1 

Col.  Mrs.  MacDevil !  no  sir  ;  my  ward— my  darling  Blanche  ! 
Leon.  Ah  !  that's  another  affair  ! 

Col.  I  should  think  so  indeed,  so  now  my  heart's  at  rest  and  everything 
will  go  smoothly.  Come  Leon,  let  us  look  at  the  stables  and  and  the 
farm.  I've  a  great  deal  to  say  to  you  on  the  subject  before  I  depart, 
and  we  may  as  well  begin  at  once.  Come  along,  my  boy,  away  with 
all  soldiering— leave  that  to  me—think  of  grain,  cattle — 


THE    VKTERAS.  15 

Leon.  Horses. 

Col.  Sheep. 

Leon.  Dogs. 

Col.  A  bouse. 

Leon.  Stables. 

Col.  A  wife. 

Leon.  Poultry. 

Col.  Children. 

Leon.  Chickens  !  [Exeunt  COLONEL  and  LEON,  2  E.  n.  n. 

Enter  MRS.  M^cSuAKE  and  BLANCHE,  2  E.  L.  u. 

Blanche.  Oh,  my  dear  madame,  how  good  you  are  j  but  are  you  sure 
you  understood  the  Colonel  rightly. 

Mrs.  M  There  was  no  possibility  of '/^^understanding  ;  why  he  met 
all  my  propositions  half-way,  absolutely  half-way,  my  dear. 

BlancJie.  Now  that  is  really  delightful !  though  I  am  very  sorry  for 
poor  Leon.  Isn't  it  charming  to  have  one's  choice  of  two  such  hand 
some  fellows  ? 

Mrs.  M.  My  dear  !  my  dear  !  decorum. 

Blanche.  Oh  yes,  of  course.  Decorum's  very  nice  and  very  proper 
and  all  that,  but  I  do  pity  poor  Leon. 

Mrs.  M.  Not  the  slightest  occasion  for  any  pity  in  the  matter,  my 
love.  His  heart  is  set  on  a  soldier's  life  ;  and  that  being  the  case,  he 
very  wisely  repudiated  all  idea  of  marriage — and  he  is  in  the  right. 
A  pretty  reflection,  truly,  for  a  poor  wretch  of  a  man,  that  while  he  is 
daily  risking  his  precious  life  in  the  field,  and  nightly  counting  the 
dreary  hours  of  the  bivouac,  his  wife  is  flirting  and  gadding,  and 
dancing  and  ogling  the  time  away  in  Paris — whilst,  how  ladies  can 
find  anything  either  useful  or  ornamental  in  husbands  eternally  a 
thousand  miles  off,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive.  However,  you  have 
eet  your  foolish  little  heart  on  a  soldier,  and  I  sha'u't  say  a  word 
more  on  that  point. 

Blanche.  Ah  !  but  Leon's  new  freak  is  a  very  sudden  one;  and  when 
the  first  flush  is  over,  I  know  he'll  think  of  me,  aud  then  he'll 
begin  to  find  what  a  fool  he  was.  But  it  can't  be  helped  now,  can  it  1 

Mrs.  M.  My  dear,  how  very  childish  you  are!  You  have  made  your 
choice  ;  your  sympathies  are  now  due,  not  to  Leon,  but  to  Eugene. 

Blanche.  Of  course — besides  Eugene  asked  me  first. 

Mrs.  M.  There,  let's  change  the  subject.  I've  a  little  bit  of  intel 
ligence  about  myself  that  will  interest  you,  perhaps.  I  have  already 
told  you  that  my  married  life  \vas  never  a  very  happy  one,  and 
that  when  my  husband  was  lost  at  sea  in  that  unfortunate  ship,  the 
Hereford,  unworthy  as  lie  was,  I  regretted  his  untimely  fate.  This,  it 
appears,  came  to  the  ears  of  an  elder  brother  of  mine  in  India — a 
bachelor.  I  received  from  him  a  copy  of  his  will,  leaving  me  the 
bulk  of  his  large  fortune,  and  a  letter  requesting  me,  if  I  did  not  fear 
the  climate,  to  come  to  him  to  India,  and  cheer  his  last  days,  which. 
as  he  is  in  feeble  health,  he  feared  were  fast  approaching,  so  I  deter 
mined  to  go. 

JH'inche.  Good  gracious  !  to  India  7 

Mrs.  M.  Yes,   dear,   and  hut    for   the    circumstances  which    have 


Ifi  THE    VETERAN. 

lately  transpired,  I  should   have  proposed  taking  you  with  me  as  an 
ado) tied  daughter. 

Blanche.  Dear  Madam ! 

Mrs.  M.  Bui  perhaps  all  is  for  the  best,  and — 

Enter  EUGENE,  R.  2  E. 

Eug.  My  dear  madam,  pray  pardon  me;  but  I  fear  all  our  plans 
are  being  rnpidly  rendered  useless. 

Blanche.  Oh  /Eugene! 

Mrs.  M.  Bless  us  all !     What's  the  matter  now  1 

Eug.  Why,  the  matter  is  that  I've  just  met  the  Colonel  and  Leon, 
arm-in-arm,  on  a  tour  of  inspection  through  the  farm  ;  the  Colonel 
talking  away,  explaining  this,  praising  that,  and  advising  the  other, 
and  Leon  evidently  agreeing  with  everything  he  said. 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  and  you  infer  from  that — 

Eug.  That  the  Colonel  has  been  working  a  counter-revolution.  Oh  ! 
there's  no  doubt  of  it.  Here,  you  can  see  them  now  through  this 
windo'v.  Look  at  Leon,  obviously  entering  heart  and  soul  into  the 
whole  argument — becoming  every  moment  more  agricultural.  He's 
got  a  spade  in  one  hand — 

Blanche.  And  a  little  pig  in  the  other.     Oh  !  there's  no  hope  for  us. 

Eug.  The  Colonel  has  gone  towards  the  stables.  Leon  is  coming 
this  way.  Leave  him  to  me.  I  must  make  a  last  desperate  effort. 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  what  I  could  do  to  assist  ye,  I  have  done.  What  I 
can  do  now,  I  will.  Ah,  Blanche,  you  had  better  have  been  my  com 
panion  to  India — well  there,  there,  I  wont  tease  ye — let  us  leave 
Eugene  to  revive,  if  he  can,  the  warlike  fire  which  seems  to  be  at 
the  very  last  flicker. 

Blanche.  Now  Eugene,  remember,  everything  depends  on  you. 
Be  eloquent,  there's  a  dear,  and  delicate.  You  hear  he's  flickering, 
a  very  little  will  put  him  out. 

Eug.  Never  fear. 

Blanche.  I  don't  believe  you  were  half  impressive  enough  before, 
or  he  could  not  have  changed  so  soon — did  you  saything  about  his 
country's  flag? 

Eug.  Of  course,  I  did.     There,  leave  us  together. 

Blanche.  Well  you  must  try  the  flag  again — oh,  and  Eugene — 

Eug.  Well,  well. 

Blanche.  Talk  about  the  "  Sons  of  glory.'1  To  be  sure,  glory  has 
got  an  immense  family  of  them,  but  there's  room  for  a  few  more — 
and — Eugene — 

Eug.  What! 

Blanche.  Mention  Bombshells — I  don't  know  what  they  are,  but 
the  Colonel  says  there's  nothing  so  effective.  [Exit  2  E.  L.  H. 

Eug.  Yes,  yes,  of  course.  Now  for  trial  number  two — not  that  I 
have  the  slightest  hope  of  a  second  success.  Let  me  see  !  What  on 
earth  can  I  bcuin  with  1  Blanche  has  driven  all  sober  sense  out  of 
my  head  with  her  confounded  stuff'  about  "  Sons  of  Glory"  and 
••  Bombshells."  I  don't  know  how  it  is.  but  she  certainly  does  ap- 


THE    VETERAN.  17 

pear  to  me  very  silly  sometimes,  and  yet  what  a  loveable  little  crea 
ture  she  is  ! 

Enter  LEON,  2  E.  R.  n. 

Ah  !  Leon,  my  dear  fellow — well  here  you  are — meditating  on  sabers 
and  saddles — indulging  in — 

Leon.  Eugene,  sit  down  a  minute,  I  have  a  few  words  to  say  to 
you.  [They  sit.]  Eugene,  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you. 

Eitg.  To  me  !  What  for  7 

Leon.  For  your  kindness  in  revealing  to  me  what  you  conceived 
the  real  state  of  my  father's  inclinations. 

Eug.  [Aside.]  My"  hopes  revive.  [Aloud.]  Oh !  don't  say  a  word 
about  it,  it  was  my  duty  to  a  friend. 

Leon.  And  well  did  you  perform  that  duty. 

Eug.  My  dear  Leon  ! 

Leon.  Brilliantly  did  you  open  out  to  my  dazzled  vision  the  glories 
of  a  soldier's  life. 

Eug.  [Aside.]  It's  all  right,  by  Jupiter ! 

Leon.  And  as  I  said  before,  most  warmly  do  I  thank  5ou — [they 
shake  hands,]  and  am  veally  sorry  you  labored  so  hard — 

Eug.  Oh,  don't  mention  it. 

Leon.  Under  a  mistake. 

Eug.  A  mistake  ! 

Leon.  Yes,  a  great  one.     My  father  has  no  such  desire. 

Eug.  [Aside.]  Down  we  go  again. 

Leon.  Never  mind — I'm  equally  obliged  to  you. 

Eug.  But  do  you  mean  to  say.  that  even  admitting  your  father  does 
oppose  your  becoming  a  soldier,  you  can  so  suddenly  have  descended 
from  the  sphere  of  magnificent  aspirations  in  which  you  were  wrapped. 
From — - 

Leon.  Now  my  dear  fellow,  don't  waste  any  valuable  eloquence 
upon  me — because  everything  is  settled.  You've  had  one  pretty  hard 
bout  already,  and  I  should  be  really  sorry  if  you  were  to  go  through 
any  more  exertion — for  nothing.  My  father  wishes  me  to  stay  at  home 
and  take  possession  of  the  farm  and  little  Blanche. 

Eug.  But  does  she  love  you  1 

Leon.  I  suppose  so — he  says  she's  to  marry  me — and  he  always 
studies  every  one's  convenience. 

Eug.  On  my  life,  this  is  too  terrible  !  I'm  almost  ashamed  to  live 
in  these  degenerate  days.  A  gentleman — a  French  gentleman  to — 

Leon.  Oh,  come  !  I'll  tell  you  what,  Eugene,  if  you're  going  to  be 
rhapsodical,  I  don't  know,  after  all,  whether  cutting  hay  is  not  quite 
as  gentlemanly  as  cutting  throats.  Not,  mind  you,  that  I  have  the 
least  desire  to  detract  from  a  soldier's  merit — but,  hang  it !  a  farmer 
is  somebody  in  the  social  scale,  after  all. 

Eug.  He  is,  I  admit  it.  But  think  what  you  give  up.  You'll  re 
ceive  no  medal  for  thinning  the  number  of  the  foes. 

Leon.  But  I  shall  get  one  for  fattening  numbers  of  sheep. 

Re-enter  BLANCHE,  2  E.  L.  11. 
Eug.  Oh  !  think  of  mounting  the  breaches. 


18 


THR    VETERAN'. 


Leon.  So  I  do — leather  ones. 

Eiig.  The  shot  plow  up  the  enemy's  ranks! 

Leon.  F  plow  up  the  family  acres. 

Eug.  They  yield — 

Leon.   So  do  the  acres. 

Eug.  To  the  sons  of  glory. 

Leon.  To  the  sun  of  July. 

Eug.  [Seeing  BLANCHE.]  Think  of  bursting  bombshells. 

Leon.  Think  of  productive  egg-shells. 

Blanch*.  [Coming  down,  c.]  Oh,  Leon  !  Leon! 

Leon.  What,  have  you  been  listening'? 

Blanche.  I  have,  and  I  confess  tlat  I'm  astonished,  to  think  of  one 
of  your  name  surrendering  fame  and  glory  for  selfish  indolence. 

Leon.  Well,  this  is  a  good  joke.  Why,  do  you  want  me  to  turn 
soldier,  when  we're  to  be  married  to — 

Jilanche.  Never ! 

Leon.  Never1? 

Blanche.  No,  never  will  I  wed  the  man  who  could  give  up  fighting 
for  his  country  to  breed  chickens — who  could  forsake  the  eagle  for 
the  Shanghae ! 

Leon.  Oh,  very  good  ;  then  I'll  go  and  tell  my  father  that  you  won't 
marry  me  unless  1  turn  soldier. 

.Blanche.  No,  no,  no  ;  I  don't  mean  that. 

Eug.  \ Aside.]  Oil  Lord !  the  truth  must  out.   [Aloud.]  Leon  ! 

[LEOX  crosses,  c, 

Blanche.  Leon  ! 

Rug.  Dear  Leon  ! 

Blanche.  Dear  Leon ! 

Eup.  Pity  us! 

L<>on.  Why? 

Blanche.  Forgive  us! 

Leon.  What? 

Eng.  We.  [Taking  7m  hand. 

Blanche.  We.  [Taking  hif  other  lumd. 

Eug.  Have  loved  each  other  ! 

Blanche.  For  a  long  while. 

Leon.  What  do  I  hear  ?    You  have — 

Blanche.  Loved  each  other — oh,  pity  us  ! 

Leon.  For — 

Eug.  A  long  while — oh,  forgive  us! 

Leon.  Then  why — 

Eug.  and  Blanche.  Well 

Leon.  The  devil— 

Eiig.  and  Blanche.     Oh  what  ? 

LHon.  Didn't  you  say  so  at  first 

.Blanche.  Oh,  joy  ! 

Eug.  Can  I  believe  my  ears? 

Leon.  You  ought,  for  ihey  must  be  pretty  long  one's,  or  you'd  have 
confided  in  me  before.  What,  did  my  old  friend  think  I  would  make 


THE    VETERAN.  19 

him  unhappy?  and  did  my  little  Blanche  imagine  I  could  see   her 
miserable  1  no  ;  then  take  her  Eugene,  and  with  her  my  benediction. 

As  fie  gives  her  to  EUGENE,  enter  the  COLONEL,  c.  and  MRS.  MAC- 
SHAKE,  2  E.  L.  H. 

Col  What's  that  I  see  ? 

Leon.  [Snicking  her  from  EUGENE.]  Nothing;  that  was  a  mistake. 

Col.  No,  no,  the  whole  truth  flashes  upon  me — deceived,  thwarted 
on  all  sides — Eugene.  I  don't  blame  you — but  you,  madam.  I  do 
blame.  Pretty  propriety  this,  forsooth,  to  poke  your  nose  into  a 
family  and  turn  its  affairs  topsy-turvy. 

Mrs.  M.  "  Poke  my  nose  !"  I'll  not  bear  such  language  !  Family 
pride  points  out  to  me  the  road  I  should  go.  Colonel  Delmar,  my 
nose  shall  offend  you  no  more.  [Exit  2  E.  L.  H. 

Blanche.  [Aside.]  Yes,  yes — I  will  accept  her  offer,  and  so  put  an 
end  to  these  unhappy  quarrels.  [Aloud.]  Farewell,  Eugene.  [To  the 
COLONEL.]  I  thank  gratitude  and  duty  for  pointing  to  me  the  road  / 
should  go.  [Exit  2  E.  L.  H. 

Eug.  I'll  to  my  duty.  I  thank  despair  and  my  country  for  indicat 
ing  the  road  /shall  go.  [Exit  2  E.  R.  H. 

Col.  I  thank  rage,  disappointment,  desperation,  and  the  confound 
ed  Arabs  for  pointing  out  the  road  /shall  go.  [Exit  c. 

Leon.  [Sitting  down.]  And  I  will  thank  anybody  who  will  point 
out  where  the  devil  I'm  to  go  1 


END    OF    ACT    II. 


ACT    III. 

SCENE  I.— Algiers— The  quarters  of  COLONEL  DELMAR. 

EUGENE  discovered — Captain  BELMONT  Lieutenants   MORTIER   and 
LORIELLE  also  discovered. 

Eug.  By  heavens,  it  is  unbearable — this  is  the  fifth  of  our  poor  fel 
lows  murdered  within  the  last  two  weeks.  This  mu?t  appear  a  pleas 
ant  state  of  things  to  you,  Lorielle,  who  have  only  just  arrived  from 
Paris. 

Lorielle.  I  certainly  hardly  expected  to  find  these  Arabs  committing 
their  atrocities  at  our  very  doors. 

Col.  [To  EUGENE.]  Now,  perhaps,  you'll  admit  that  I  was  right  in 
keeping  Leon  at  home  in  France.  With  his  hot  head,  he'd  have  been 
murdered  by  this  time.  [Muric. 


20  THE   VETERAN. 

Belmont.  Ah  ,  here  is  Yusseff,  the  coffee  merchant,  and  his  brother. 
What  will  he  say  to  this,  I  wonder. 

Enter  YUSSEP  and  AMINEH  as  a  boy  through  opening  L. 

Mor.  Oh,  friend  Yusseff,  you  are  here.  Well,  here  is  another  mur 
der  ;  your  precious  countrymen  are  determined  to  keep  up  their  repu 
tation  as  the  most  accomplished  assassins  alive. 

Yusseff.  The  Arab  fights  to  regain  the  land  his  fathers  bequeathed 
to  him,  and  does  not  assassinate.  He  kills  your  sentinels  with  their 
arms  in  their  hands,  therefore  it  is  not  murder. 

Col.  Oh,  you're  the  fellow  who  has  been  selling  coffee  in  the  town, 
and  buying  powder  in  exchange,  for  some  day's  past  1 

Yns.  I  am  Yusseff,  the  merchant. 

Etig.  And  a  great  admirer*  of  that  most  noted  chieftain,  Emir  Ma- 
hommed. 

Lor.  What  the  deuce  is  an  Emir  1 

Col.  It's  Arabic  for  a  blood-thirsty  scoundrel ! 

Yus.  Blood-thirsty?  he  is  not ! 

Bel.  Slicing  men's  heads  off  in  the  dark,  and  hanging  them  alive 
in  the  desert,  to  be  eaten  by  the  vultures  and  hyenas,  1  should  call 
decidedly  blood-thirsty. 

Col.  Oh,  bless  you.  not  at  all.  That's  a  mere  bagatelle.  Why,  sir, 
I  have  known  them  to  crucify  a  poor  devil  of  a  commissariat  clerk, 
who  fell  into  their  hands. 

Yus.  That  was  done  by  certain  Jews  of  Myra,  to  whom  he  owed 
money. 

Mor.  Will  you  swear  that  it  was  not  done  by  theArabs  ? 

Yus.  I  will  not  swear  to  please  you.    I  have  said  it. 

Ami.  The  Arab  does  not  lie.  That  is  a  French  accomplishment  he 
has  yet  to  learn. 

Col.  Well,  you're  devilish  civil,  whoever  you  are. 

Yus.  The  Chief  of  the  Frankish  soldiers  should  not  be  angry  be 
cause  we  fight  to  defend  our  tents.  This  land  has  belonged  to  the 
Arab  for  ages.  It  is  theirs,  and  everything  thereon,  even  to  the  dates 
that  fall  and  wither  in  the  desert.  If  the  Franks  can  keep  it  by  the 
sword,  let  them  keep  it.  But  if  the  Arab  caa  retake,  let  him  do  so. 
They  are  both  brave — then  let  them  fight,  but  not  with  words,  like 
angry  women ! 

Col.  Oh,  I'll  do  them  the  justice  to  say  that  they  like  fighting  bet 
ter  than  talking.  But  why  fight  at  all  ?  Why  the  devil  don't  they  be 
quiet1?  When  first  the  French  arrived  here  there  were  in  this  place 
about  five  hundred  poor  devils — half  starved,  and  clad  with  anything 
but  decency,  and  now  the  mo?tof  them  have  food,  work  and  cloth 
ing. 

Ami.  Work  1  yes.  in  making  fortifications  against  their  own  coun 
trymen,  and  teaching  them  to  eat  forbidden  food  and  to  drink  wine,  to 
become  slaves,  and  bring  disgrace  upon  the  blood  of  Ishmael !  This 
is  the  civilization  you  enforce  at  the  bayonet's  point! 

Col.  I'll  tell  you  what,  my  dogmatic  young  friend,  as  I  always 
study  everyone's  Convenience.  I'll  give  you  a  little  advice.  If  you 
dotvt  bridle  your  tongue  a  little  when  you  address  your  superiors— 


Tttfl 

1^/3.  Superiors! 

Ami.  [Aside  to  YtssEP.]  Be  cautious. 

Yiis.  It  is  needless  to  mock  and  taunt,  I  tell  thee,  proud  Chief, 
that  Mohammed  has  swofn,  by  every  oath  in  Islam,  to  have  thy  head. 

Col.  Has  he  1  Eugene  give  me  my  snuff  box. 

[EUQEXK  gets  it  from  table  it. 

Tits.  Ay,  has  he—and  he'll  keep  his  word — for  from  the  deserts  he 
will  bring  against  you  as  many  horsemen  and  spears  as  there  are 
drops  in  a  shower  of  rain. 

Col.  Well,  just  tell  him  his  shower  will  have  to  make  its  way 
through  a  pretty  thick  forest  of  these  little  playthings. 

[Holding  out  Sergeant's  bayonets. 

Yus>  Nevertheless,  as  thou  valuest  thy  head,  remember  the  words 
of  Yitppef. 

Col.  I  certainly  will— for  I  do  value  my  head,  which,  though  not 
Very  ornamental  perhaps,  is  highly  indispensable. 

Enter  2d  SERGEANT  through  opening  L. 

2d.  Scr.  [Saluting.]  A  letter, sir  marked  "immediate  and  import 
ant."  The  officer  waits. 

Col.  Ah,  ha !  What's  in  the  wind  now — let  me  see.  [Reads.]  "Whew  1 
Well,  upon  my  soul— why  Eugene,  there's  [Seeing  YUSSEF.]  Eh!  Oh, 
to  be  sure :  friend  Yussef,  if  you  have  nothing  more  important,  or 
more  pleasant  to  say  to  me,  why — 

Yus.  The  words  I  have  uttered  suffice.  Truth,  with  the  Arab,  is 
soon  spoken.  It  is  his  habit. 

Col.  No  doubt-^-very  well,  then.  I  have  particular  business  with 
this  gentlemen,  and  as  I  always  study  every  one's  convenience,  per« 
haps  you'll  be  good  enough  to  depart. 

Ami.  Such  is  Turkish  hospitality. 

Bel.  You  are  an  impudent  cub. 

Yus.  How  now.  [Half  draiOs  a  daggef. 

Ami.  [Restraining  him.]  Have  a  care.  [Jlside. 

Col.  Nay,  Belmont  you  are  too  hasty. 

Lor.  Come,  gentlemen  let  us  go  the  sentry  rounds,  it  is  time. 

( Officers  rise  and  buckle  on  their  swords. 

Col.  You  will  report  to  me  here  in  an  hour.    Au  revotr,  gentlemen, 

[Exeunt  BELMOXT,  LORIELLE,  and  MORTIER,  L.  opening. 
Tell  the  officer  my  answers  will  be  ready  in  half  an  hour.    In  the  mean 
time  see  to  him  and  his  escort.     [Exit  2d  SERGEANT  through  opening 

AmL  [Advancing  to  COL.]  When  the  Prankish  chieftain  knows  our  peo 
ple  better,  he  will  see  that  respect  for  our  elders  is  a  lesson  taught 
even  in  very  infancy.  I  had  forgotten  this.  We  are  too  proud  to  fear 
confession  of  a  fault.  I  ask  your  forgiveness. 

Col.  Not  a  bit  of  it,  my  fine  fellow:  I  was  abrupt,  and  perhaps  de 
served  the  rebuke*  Give  me  your  hand. 

Eng.  What  sir,  to  a  savage  ? 

Col.  To  any  man,  sir,  who  has  the  courage  to  judge  and  condemn 
himself. 

Yus.  Chief— before  we  depart,  let  me  counsel  caution  in  the  fight, 


22  frt 

Avoid  the  Emir  Mohammed.      He  never  yet  failed  in  redemption  df 
his  word  to  friend  or  foe, 

Col.  then  I  shall  hare  particular  pleasure  in  seeking  for  his  higfc- 
ness  in  the  very  first  melee. 

Yust  Enough^  you  arc  warned — Allah  will  decide. 

[Rtit. — •COLoXEL  sits  at  (able  u.  to  wnlet 

Eug.  [To  AMIXEIL]  Youth,  if  i  have  offended  you — 

Ami.  Peace,  anc  mark  my  words.  Have  you  forgotten  being  sur 
prised,  one  night,  beyond  your  outposts,  by  a  party  of  Arabs  1 

Eu<j.  By  the  Lord,  no — nor  ever  shall.  That  was  the  narrowest  es« 
cape  1  ever  had, 

Ami.  A  maiden  interfered,  and  saved  you. 

Eug.  True*  She  was  my  guardian-angel,  both  in  fact  and  look— 
for  a  lovelier  face  I  never — 

Ami.  Enough.  I  bear  a  message  from  her.  If  misfortune  befall 
you — should  you  be  ever  a  captive  in  the  hands  of  our  people,  demand 
to  see  Amineh,  the  sister  of  the  Emir.  It  will  avail  you  much. 

Eug.  Should  such  mischance  overtake  me,  I  will  be  sure  to  profit 
by  your  message, 

Ami.  You  promise  this?  Enough  ;  I  must  rejoin  the  merchant- 
Will  you  now  refuse  your  hand  1 

Eug.  Take  it ;  I  am  ashamed  that  I  should  ever  have  dreamed  of 
withholding  it  [Looking  at  AMIXEH'S  hand.]  And  is  this  the  hand 
that  may  one  day  grasp  a  saber  against  the  French  soldier  1  Ard 
these  the  fingers — 

Ami.  Hark,  1  am  called  ;  release  me.  Remember  your  promise,  and 
farewell,  [Exit,  through  opening,  L. 

Col.  Sergeant,  deliver  this,  [fives' a  letter.]  and  see  those  natives  be 
yond  the  outposts.  [Exit  Lit  SEUGEAXT,  L*  opening* 

Eug.  [Looking  aficr  AMrxEli.]  Strange!  That  small,  soft  hand— - 
those  lustrous  eyes— I  half  suspect- 
Co/.  Here,  Eugene  ;  what  the  devil  are  yon  pondering  on  1  Egad  ! 
if  you  want  matter  for  thought,  I'll  give  you  enough  of  it.  Come 
here,  and  listen,  This  letter  I  have  just  received  from  iny  old  friend, 
Montmar,  who  Commands  at  Santa.  I've  only  read  the  first  part  as 
yet,  but  that's  important  enough.  [Reads,]  "  My  dear  Delmar  i  The 
three  wandering  tribes  that  are  giving  us  so  much  trouble  just  now, 
are  believed  to  be  secretly  in  treaty  for  aid  and  encouragement  from 
the  Sultan  of  Myra.  1fou  and  I  are  each  to  dispatch  an  officer  to 
treat,  as  from  out  Emperor,  with  the  Sultan  relative  to  our  offensive 
and  defensive  alliance  with  France.  To  be  sure,  he  can't  help  us 
much,  but  his  neutrality  is  of  importance,  and  General  Randori  would 
give  much  to  secure  it.  We  have  also  received  intelligence  that  an  Eng 
lish  steamer,  on  her  way  to  Alexandria,  has  been  wrecked,  and  somd 
of  the  survivors  made  prisoners  by  the  Sultan's  people.  Their  re 
lease  must  be  obtained  as  part  of  the  conditions  of  the  treaty.  In 
conclusion,  let  me  recommend  to  your  notice  the  officer  who  brings 
this  dispatch.  He  is  my  emissary  to  the  Sultan  ;  he  is  also  the  hero 
of  that  dashing  cavalry  affair  of  the  10th.  Receive  him  cordially,  and 
provide  for  him  a  pleasant,  as  well  as  prudent  companion.  Your  old 
friend,  Auguste  Montmar,''  [Rings  bell  on,  table* 


ff.  23 

1st  SEUQKAXT,  through,  opening,  L. 

Show  ia  the  officer  vvbo  brought  me  this  dispatch.  [-£<'/*'/  SEUGEAXT.] 
I  shall  be  delighted  to  see  this  young  chasseur.  That  affair  of  the 
10th  would  have  done  credit  to  a  veteran,  and  this  gentleman  has  been 
but  a  year  in  the  service,  as  I  learn. 

Enter  LEOX.  L. 

Ah  ha !  My  dear  sir,  forgive  me  for  not  seeing  you  at  once  ]  that 
confounded  Sergeant  said Curse  me  if  it  isn't  my  son ! 

Eug.  Leon  ! 

Leon.  My  dear,  dear  father  ! 

Col.  [Holding  him  off.]  Don't  come  near  me.  you  scoundrel !  [Shak 
ing  one  hand  affectionately.]  How  dare  you.  sir,  quit  France  without  my 
permission  1  I'll  never  forgive  you!  [Gradually  getting  ho/d  of  his 
ether  hand.]  You  disobedient,  impudent  vagabond  !  to  obtajn  promo 
tion  before  youVl  been  a  year  in  the  service !  To—to —  [His  hand 
falls  on  the  cross  of  t he  Legion  which  LEON  wears.]  Damn  me,  sir !  I  dis- 
uwn  you  !  [Taking  him  in  his  arms.]  And  now — [after  a  pause]  let  mu 
look  at  you ' 

Leon.  No,  don't  ;  go  on  disowning  rne,  sir. 

Col.  Here,  Eugene !     Look  at  him — just  look  at  him !     Did  you 
ever  see  such  a  conscious-guilty-looklng-t^fy  ruftlan  1     That's  tbe* 
sort  of  wretched  object  a  boy  becomes  when  be  deceives  his  father, 
Take  warning  by  him.     So,  sii\  you've  taken  the  lock  off  again  7 

Leon.  I  must  explain. 

Col.  No.  you  needn't.  I  see  all  about  it.  We  left  yo?i  alono. 
You  would  be  a  soldier  after  all  ;  you  applied  to  Montmar  who,  by  the 
by,  always  spoiled  you  when  you  were  a  child  j  he  put  you  into  the 
Chasseurs,  and  the  rest  followed,  of  course ;  you  were  my  son. 
Can't  help  it— must  trtna  a  little.  But,  I  say,  who  sent  those  letters 
you  wrote  me  from  France,  whilst  you  were  in  Africa  ? 

Leon.  Old  Gaspar,  the  Steward,  imitates  my  handwriting  uncom 
monly  well,  sir. 

Col.  My  Steward,  too !  I'm  a  pocr,  wretched,  deceived,  broken 
hearted  old  man.  But,  come,  I  must  have  the  Cavalry  charge  of  the 
10th.  Tell  me  all  about  it. 

Leon.  Alas!  my  dear  father,  we  only  meet  to  part  almost  immedi 
ately — my  duty  calls  me  forward  without  delay — my  companion  is 
to  follow  when  you  have  selected  him— 'but  my  orders  were  not  to 
wait  a  moment  on  the  road  except  when  absolutely  necessary. 

Col.  Why  have  you  not  seen  me  before,  in  all  this  time  1 

Leon.  I  determined  not  to  show  myself  until  I  had  achieved  some 
thing  worthy  of  your  pardon. 

Col.  Who  the  devil  said  I  pardoned  you,  sir?  However,  go,  per 
form  your  duty,  and  when  you  return,  I'll  procure  you  leave  of  ab 
sence  from  Mortmar,  then  you  can  be  with  me,  then  I  can  hear  all 
about  the  10th.  Stop!  I've  a  dispatch  for  you  to  take. 

[Goes  io  table  and  writes* 

Leon.  Eugene,  my  boy,  how  glad  I  am  to  take  you  by  the  hand 
9gain.  Have  you  heard  from  Blanche  1 


THE  VETERAN. 

Col.  Eh  !  what  ? 

Leon.  My  Arab  mare,  Blanche,  is  the  best  in  Algiers,  I  do  believe* 

CoL  Ah,  I  dare  say,  call  her  Blanche,  eh  1  humph  !  Well,  no  harm, 
though  my  intentions  on  that  subject  are---but  no  matter,  she's  in  In* 
dia  with  Mrs.  MncShake,  by  this  time,  and^» 

Leon.  Pardon  me,  sir,  but  time-" 

CoL  True,  true — there,  give  that  to  the  officer  commanding  the  ad> 
vanced  post  on  the  borders  of  Myra.  Farewell,  my  boy — my  son.  If 
any  harm  come  to  you,  I — I — hem.  If  you  get  into  any  mischief, 
sir,  don't  dare  to  show  your  face  here  again.  Your  companion — 

Eug.  His  companion,  sir,  is  ready  to  start  on  the  instant,  providirf^ 
you  will  give  your  permission  that  I  should  be  selected. 

Col.  Good !  the  very  man  I  would  have  chosen. 

E&g.  A  thousand  thanks,  dear  sir  ;  I  go  at  once  to  make  my  pro* 
parations.  In  fifteen  minutes,  Leon.  I  shall  be  ready. 

[Exit  EUGENE  through  opening  L. 

Cot.  Just  time  enough  for  me  to  hear  &11  about  the  affair  of   the 
10th.  [Distant  music.']  There's  the  bani  playing  on  the  parade  ground 
Sit  down,  my  boy  ;  sergeant,  a  bottle  of  wine  and  glasses — now  for  it* 
[ As  SERGEANT  brings  on  wine,  they  sit  down  together — Scene  closes  in. 

SCENE  II. — Part  of  a  ruined  Mosque  on  the  outskirts  of  the  French  post 
bordering  on  (lie  Desert — Distant  music  continues  as  YUSSEF  enters 
L.  1  E. 

Yw.  What  can  keep  the  girl  1  Stays  ehe  to  listen  to  the 
music  of  the  Gaiour  ?  Does  her  heart  throb  at  strains  to  which  he 
has  marched  in  triumph  over  the  bodies  of  her  slaugtered  kindred? 
Aye — play  on — let  the  native  melodies  of  the  Frank  float  over  the 
desert,  which,  if  Allah  permits,  shall  soon  bear  upon  its  scorching 
breeze  a  sound  far  sweeter  and  more  musical  to  Mohammed's  ear,  tha 
death  groan  of  the  oppressors  ! 

Snter  OGLOU,  R, 
Who  goes  there  1 

Oglou.  Oglou! 

Yus.  Oglou  1  Good!  Is  all  prepared  1 

Oglou.  All.    Where  is  the  maiden  ? 

Ytas*  She  will  be  here  on  the  instant.    But  remember,  no  violence* 
[Six  ARABS  appears  R.  1  E., — music  pizzicato. 

Oglou.  Fear  not,  noble  Emir.  Is  she  not  your  sister?  The  pro 
mised  bride  of  their  own  Chief? 

Yus.  Remember  the  signal.  If  I  wave  my  shawl,  you  bear  her 
away.  If  not,  and  you  see  us  depart  together,  then  they  may  back 
to  their  Chief,  and  say  that  she  consents.  Where  are  his  men  1 

Oglou.  Behold  them !  [Afusic  ceases. 

Yus.  Should  she  give  the  alarm  ? 

Oglott.  She  will  not.  A  vail  thrown  over  her  will  prevent  any  cry 
until  we  are  beyond  hearing. 

Yus.  A  footstep!  away!  [ARABS  vanish  E.J  This  wayward  passion 


THE    VETERAN.  25 

for  the  Frank  is  but  a  passing  cloud.    The  full  sunlight  of  her  hap 
piness  as  the  brave  Omar's  bride,  will  be  the  brighter  for  it. 

Enter  AMIXEII.  L  Music  ceases. 

Ami.  And  so  -'tis  over.  I  shall  see  him  no  more  ;  he  will  never 
know  how  deeply — how  truly  the  Arab  girl  can  love  !  Since  I  have 
seen  him — spoken  with  him — a  dread — almost  a  loathing  of  my  des 
ert  life  has  fallen  upon  me.  My  very  countrymen  seem  changed. 

Ytis.  Aye,  Amineh,  is  it  so? 

Ami.  My  brother ! 

Yus.  Hear  me.  'Tis  now  some  months  since  this  mad  passion  mas 
tered  your  better  reason.  I  have  not  dealt  sternly  with  you,  for 
with  the  noble  candor  born  in  the  daughters  of  the  desert,  you  made 
a  frank  and  free  confession  of  the  truth.  But  be  warned !  Even  my 
patience  and  affection  may  at  last  be  exhausted. 

Ami.  My  brother — why  do  you  reproach  me  1  Have  I  belied  my 
given  word  1  I  told  you  freely  that  I  loved  the  Frankish  soldier — 
and  told  you,  too,  that  if  you  would  grant  me  to  see  him  once  again 
— never  from  that  time  would  I  seek  to  behold  him.  You  consented 
— Amineh  will  not  betray  your  trust 

Yus.  So  far  it  is  well,  but  you  know  this  is  not  all.  You.  know 
that  of  all  the  Chiefs  who  roam  and  reign  in  the  Deserts,  one  of  the 
most  illustrious  in  descent,  and  power  equal  even  with  myself— is 
Omar  Kahn. 

Ami.  Again  7 

Yus.  Aye.  again,  and  wherefore  not  ?  Young,  handsome,  brave  as 
the  Lion  of  his  native  plains — a  Chief  who  heads  five  hundred  horse 
men — could  the  most  haughty  and  exacting  of  our  maidens  desire 
more  ?  Yet  thou  forsooth — 

Ami.  Brother,  your  commands  have  swayed  my  will,  shall  do  so 
always,  but  they  can  never  control  my  heart !  Be  satisfied — you  are 
obeyed.  Let  it  suffice. 

Yus.  And  you  reject — refuse  my  friend  ?    Amineh. 

Ami.  My  own  dear  brother  !  Do  not.  Ob,  in  pity,  do  not  try  me 
thus.  Since  my  childhood,  when  our  father  died,  have  I  not  given 
you  all  a  sister's  love  with  the  obedience  of  a  daughter  1  In  defer 
ence  to  the  lessons  of  truth  and  candor  which  you  early  planted -in 
my  heart  and  memory — I  told  you  all.  It  was  something  more 
/ban  the  sister's  duty  to  the  brother — it  was  the  maiden's  confidence 
in  the  truth  and  gallantry  of  the  man.  I  implore — I  conjure  you. 
Sec.  dearest,  your  poor  Amineh  kneels  to  you — to  let  this  question 
die  between  us.  Enough,  my  heart's  great  hope  is  crushed — let 
not  more  misery  be  added. 

Yus.  Misery  !  Foolish  girl !  Do  you  not  know  that  the  doom  of 
every  Frenchman  at  this  post,  is  as  irrevocably  sealed  as  if  Azrael 
overshadowed  them  with  his  deadly  wings !  To  what,  think  you, 
have  tended  all  my  vists  to  this  place — my  disguises?  Thanks  to 
the  Prophet  who  gave  me  ears  to  hear,  and  eyes  so  see,  there  is  not  a 
soldier  in  their  ranks,  or  a  bullet  in  their  pouches,  but  I  know  their 
number,  and  by  the  holy  Kaaba,  they  shall  soon  feel  the  dread  re 
sults  of  my  knowledge.  Be  happy,  girl,  that  your  fate  is  severed 


26 


THE  VETERAN. 


from  theirs.  Belie  not  thy  name  and  race — act  even  according  to 
thy  words  spoken  but  now  to  their  Chiefs.  Seek  not  destruction  of 
soul  and  body ! 

Ami.  I  have  but  one  reply — Hove  ! 

Yus.  I'll  hear  no  more.  Leave  me,  and  await  my  coming  yonder. 
I  see  a  friend  with  whom  I  must  have  some  converse,  when  that  is 
done  I  will  rejoin  you.  [He  waves  his  scarf  or  shawl.']  Away  ! 

Ami.  I  will  await  you  beneath  yonder  arch. 

Music  of  band  at    distance — AMIXEH  goes  to  YUSSEF,  he  embraces  her — 
exit  AMIXEH,  n.  1  E. 

Yus.  [Looking  after  her.]  For  the  best?  Yes — yes — it  is — \isha1l  be 
for  the  best.  From  his  very  boyhood  1  have  known  Omcrr  Kahn— and 
there  is  no  quality  we  of  the  races  of  Islam  venerate  that  he  does 
not  possess.  With  him  she  must  be  happy — and  were  it  otherwise — 
did  he  abuse  my  trust,  by  Allah  my  arm  should  reach  him  even  though 
— she  approaches  the  arch.  Poor  child,  I  .had  almost  feared — if  the 
fright  should  kill  her— I'll  call : — too  late— too  late— like  tigers  they 
crouch  awaiting  the  unconscious  girl!  They  creep  towards  her — sieze 
her — the  vail  is  round  her  form — no  struggle— not  a  movement  :'• — 
Great  prophet:  have  I  done  aright  in  this  7  No  moment  now  for 
boyish  indecision — she  is  gone  :  let  mind,  heart,  soul  concentrate  up 
on  one  only  thought :  destruction  to  the  Frank— death  to  to  the  Chris 
tian  foe !  .  [Exit,  L.  Music— forte. 

SCENE  III.—  Handsome  Apartment  in  the  Palace  of  HASX-AL-DAHR — 
MUSTAPHA,  HASSAN  and  several  of  the  native  populace  discovered  L.  talk 
ing  noisily.  Enter  OGLOU,  (Chief  Eunuch.) 

Oglou.  Now,  what  seek  ye  in  the  hall  of  justice  1 

Mus.  Most  noble  sir,  we  seek  audience  and  judgment  of  bis  high 
ness,  the  Grand  Vizier. 

Oglou.  Do  you  not  know,  ye  owls,  that  the  noble  Ofl-an-agan,  Grand 
Vizier  and  Chief  Adviser  of  our  lord  the  Sultan,  has  hardly  finished 
the  morning  prayers  :  do  you  forget  that  though  once  a  Christian  and 
Kaffir  from  a  savage  island  in  the  western  world,  he  is  now  by  the 
grace  of  the  Prophet  the  truest  believer  in  the  Islam,  and  cannot  be 
hurried  from  his  devotions  for  such  scrapings  of  the  earth  as  thou. 

Has.  Noble  sir — We  are  too  happy  to  await  the  pleasure  of.  the 
great  Ofl-an-agan.  My  case,  in  particular,  is  a  hard  one.  Mustapha 
Moulrad,  here  had  sold  me— 

Mas.  No,  not  sold. 

Has.  Yes — Yes — yes — I  say — 

Mus.  No— no — 

Uproar  of  natives,  during  which  OGLOU  shouts,  "  The  GUAXD  VIZIER  :" 
all  cease,  and  two  attendants  enter  preceding,  carrying  carpets  and  cushion, 
and  two  following  OFL-AN-AGAX,  u.  E.  R. 

Ofl-an-agan.  How  now,  you  scum  and  outpourings  of  the  filth  of 
the  world  1  Know  ye  where  ye  are  1  Dare  you  exercise  your  unhal 


THE    VETERAX.  27 

lowed  throats  on  the  threshold  of  the  favored  palace,  which  the  most 
mighty  of  earth's  kings  condescends  to  honor  by  dwelling  in  it? 
Whose  dogs  are  you,  to— to  even  to  breathe  within  these  sacred  pre- 
cintsl  [MUSTAPHA  whispers  OGLOU.  J  What  says  the  slave  ?— hah  ! 

Oglou.  Mighty  sir,  he  says  he  would  humbly  urge  that  without  breath 
there  cannot  be  life  ! 

Oft.  Humph !  then  let  him  not  breathe  above  his  breath  ;  and  now 
proceed.  I  have  but  little  time  to  waste  upon  ye.  Between  whom  is 
the  first  quefition  1 

Oglou.  So  please  you,  between  these  two  men. 

Ofl.  Good  ;  let  all  the  rest  be  cleared  out  of  the  palace. 

Has.  But,  great  sir,  there  are  among  them  who  are  witnesses,  and 
know — 

Ofl.  What  7  Is  our  word  disputed  ?  By  the  bones  of  the  holy  Der 
vish  Saiut  Patrick,  we  will  have  obedience.  If  ye  object  to  this,  get 
ye  back  to  your  dens.  For  what  saith  the  sage  1  "  In  the  delibera 
tions  of  the  Jew  lieth  wisdom  ;  but  in  the  clamor  of  the  many  is 
nought  but  shindy." 

Mm.  [2o  OGLOU.]  What  does  he  mean  by  "  shindy  !" 

Oglou.  Away,  father  of  fools !  Is  it  for  such  as  thou  to  question  the 
terms  oft.be  wisest  and  most  learned  man,  and  the  strictest  Mussul 
man  in  Myra  ? 

[All  the  citizens,  except  MUSTAPHA  and  HASSAN,  exeunt,  L.  n. 

Ofl.  My  tablets  !  [ATTENDANT  hands  them  on  salver  with  a  salaam.'} 
If  I  only  knew  how  to  write,  it  would  be  a  great  advantage  ;  but 
these  ignorant  ragamuffins  won't  know  the  difference,  so  I'll  go  through 
the  motions.  Now,  who  makes  the  complaint  7 

lias.  [Crosses,  c.]  Great  Vizier,  it  is  I,  even  I,  Hassan  Noureddin,  a 
poor  dealer  in  figs. 

Ofl.  Umph!     A  dealer  in —  [Writes. 

Has.  And,  moreover — 

Ofl.  Silence!   [Writes.]   Poor  figs— well? 

Has.  And,  moreover,  the  same  who  honors  himself  by  sending  week 
ly  to  the  palace  of  your  mightiness,  ten  pounds  of  that  delicious  fruit 
as  an  humble  offering — 

Ofl.  Ajiha!  Now  I  remember  that  Hassan  Noureddin  is  noted  in 
the  city  for  his  fair  and  honest  dealings.  [To  MUSTAPHA.]  And  thou, 
thou  son  of  an  unclean  father,  what  hast  thou  to  advance  against  so 
worthy  a  creature  ?  Beware,  for,  as  the  good  book  hath  it.  "  The 
fair-dealing  man  shall  carry  his  head  exalted,  but  his  traducer  shall 
bow  down  his  with  shame  ;  yea,  and  it  shall  be  blackened  with  many 
punches." 

Oglou.  Bismillah. 

Ofl.  Son  of  Ham,  silence !  let  the  hand  of  prudence  be  applied  to 
the  jaw  of  darkness  and  hold  it.  Proceed.  [To  HASSAN. 

Has.  Know  then,  oh,  mirror  of  wisdom,  that  this  man,  Mustap'ha 
Moulrad,  did  agree  for  the  sum  of  twenty  golden  pieces  to  sell  me  a 
cow. 

0/7.  Stop!  [Writes.]  " Cow."  go  on. 

lias.  Ten  of  the  twenty  to  be  paid  on  delivery  of  the  animal,  the 
other  ten  in  two  moons  from  that  date.  He  now  refuses  to  deliver 


-&  THE    VETERAIf. 

me  the  cow— for  that  I  do  not  at  once  disburse  the  whole  sum  of 
twenty. 

Of  I.  And  now,  thou  guilty  looking  wretch,  what  hast  thou  to  an 
swer  to  this  most  serious  charge  1  hah ! 

Mas.  [Crosses  c.]  Most  worthy  and  impartial  judge,  Great  Vizier,  I 
trust  my  word  may  be  regarded  in  some  measure  as  that  of  a  true 
man  ;  nor  are  my  dealings  all  unknown  in  Myra — a  weekly  offer  of 
coffee,  it  is  my  great  good  fortune  that  you  are  always  pleased  to 
accept  and — 

Oil,  Stay!  what  did  you  say  your  name  was? 

Mus.  Mustapha  Moulrad— may  it  be  fortunate  in  your  august  ear. 

Ofl.  Mustapha,  why  truly,  to  be  sure,  I  remember — a  man  of  strict 
and  honorable  dealing.  How  much  coffee,  friend,  do  I  receive. 

Mus.  Some  twenty  pounds,  an  humble  offering  to — 

Ofl.  [  Writes.]  Twenty  pounds.  And  you  deny  that  you  promised 
credit  to  this  man  1 

Mus.  I  do. 

Ofl.  Have  a  care,  friend  Hassan.  Thy  case  looks  shadowy,  I  prom 
ise  thee.  Did'st  thou  crave  this  cow  ? 

Has.  I  did  much  desire  her,  Great  Vizier. 

Ofl.  And  thou,  Mustapha,  did'st  thou  desire  to  sell  her  ? 

Mus.  No  ;  nor  would  I  have  agreed  save  upon  great  persuasion. 

Ofl.  Is  the  cow  a  dry  cow  1 

Mus.  A  creature  rich  in  milk. 

Ofl.  Now  listen  with  the  ears  of  your  hearts,  open  the  blind  eyes 
of  your  seven  senses  and  see  how  the  finger  of  wisdom  will  pinch  only 
the  small  grains  of  wheat  in  this  murdherin'  bushel  of  straw  ;  is  it 
likely,  oh  Hassan !  that  craving  for  the  cow  thou  would'st  have  bar 
gained  for  delay  of  payment,  or  that  Mustapha,  who  parted  with 
her  unwillingly,  would  do  so  at  all  but  for  momys  presently  forthcom 
ing  1  Nay,  friend,  the  chances  are  against  thee  even  as  twenty  unto 
ten— and  so  you  see  how  the  mighty  and  incorruptible  truth  like  unto 
a  turkey  pullet  on  a  hen's  egg,  will  break  through  the  shell  of  cir 
cumstance  and  with  the  sword  of  fortune. in  his  mouth,  fly  like  an  un 
fledged  eagle  to  the  protection  of  the  innocent. 

Has.  But,  generous  Vizier,  there  was  a  queston  as  to  due  allowance 
of  rich  dates,  of  which  I  have  the  finest  in  the  market,  as' shall  be 
proved  to  thee  when  thou  shall  taste  some  fifty  pounds  of  them 
which  presently  I  shall  lay  at  your  honored  feet. 

Ofl.  The  matter  grows  intricate.     Where  is  the  cow  in  question  7 

Oglou.  By  mutual consent  of  these  men,  she  awaits  in  jour  own 
stables,  the  award  of  the  most  just. 

Ofl.  It  is  a  case  of  curious  complicity,  and  must  not  be  treated 
lightly.  I  will  consider  it  maturely,  and  in  two  years  I  will  give  my 
decision.  Till  then,  the  cow  had  better  remain  where  she  is.  The 
case  will  stand  postponed. 

Has.  and  Mus.  But  my  lord— great  Vizier  7 

Ofl.  What,  do  you  grumble  ?  Unthankful  curs !  Away  !  lest  the 
howl  of  ingratitude  should  uplift  the  boot  of  vengeance,  and  I  have 
ye  sent  sent  forth  into  the  street  with  many  kicks !  [Exeunt  HASSAX 
and  MUSTAPHA,  L.,  with  many  salaams.  Thou  seest,  oh !  Oglou !  the  cares 


THE   VETERAN.  29 

» 

that  hang  on  greatness.  Thus  must  the  ministerial  mind  be  agitated 
and  time  wasted  for  a  miserable  cow  ! 

Og/ou.  So  please  your  highness,  there  are  others  without  waiting  to 
be  heard. 

Ofl.  I'll  bear  no  more  to-day,  my  brain  has  borne  enough.  Dis 
perse  the  scum !  [Exit  OGLOU.  L.]  I  never  felt  so  weary  when  I  was  a 
little  man  in  Ireland,  as  I  do  now  I  am  a  great  man  in  Africa.  I 
remember  once  reading  that  some  Englishman  observed  that  "  a  little 
learning  was  a  dangerous  thing."  Faith!  if  he'd  been  in  my  case, 
he'd  have  found  that  a  little  learning  in  the  way  of  gunpowder  and 
the  use  of  artillery  was  a  mighty  fine  thing — for  didn't  it  change  a 
poor  half-starved  shipwrecked  divil  into  the  Grand  Vizier  of  Myra  ! 
Still,  in  spite  of  that  same,  I  sometimes  do  long  for  the  green  fields 
and  pure  whiskey  of  my  native  land.  "  There's  no  place  like  home" 
as  the  divil  said  when  he  got  into  the  Court  of  Law ! 

Enter  OGLOU,  L. 
What  now  1 

Oglou.  Two  chieftans  with  a  message"  from  the  Commander  of  the 
Feringhees,  desire  your  Highness's  good  audience  of  the  Light  of 
the  World,  our  Lord,  the  .Sultan. 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  What's  in  the  wind  now,  I  wonder  1  [Aloud.]  Admit 
them  ;  I  will  myself  proceed  and  find  out  if  the  corner-stone  of  en 
lightenment,  and  grand  monarch  of  all  the  kingdoms  will  be  pleased 
to  shed  upon  these  unbelievers,  the  benign  ray  of  his  refulgent 
countenance  !  [Exit  OGLOU  L  J  In  other  words,  I  will  see  if  the  lazy 
ould  Billy-goat  will  take  the  trouble  to  walk  this  way. 

[Exit  OFL-AN-AGAN,  u.  E.  K. 

Music— Enter  OGLOU,  with  LEON  and  EUGENE. 

Oglou.  You  will  here  await  the  coming  of  Keystone  of  wisdom,  his 
highness  the  Grand  Vizier,  who  will  himself  inform  you  if  it  is  the 
pleasure  of  the  supreme  dispenser  of  joy  to  the  Moslem,  his  majesty 
the  Sultan,  to  see  and  hold  converse  with  th.e  benighted  Kaffir. 

Leon.  Eugene,  you  are  more  skilled  in  politics  than  I ;  would  it  be 
diplomatic  to  hit  this  black  fellow  a  thump  on  the  head,  just  to  teach 
him  manners  ? 

Eugene.  My  dear  Leon,  we  cannot  use  too  much  caution  here,  you 
must  l)e  on  your  guard.  [Exit  OGLOU. 

Leon.  Caution  ;  well,  that's  good  irom  you,  who  could  not  come 
this  short  journey,  but  you  must  play  the  Knight-errant,  dash  sword  in 
hand  among  half-a-dozen  of  these  African  gentry — rescue  a  young 
boy,  whose  position  could  be  no  possible  affair  of  yours,  (and  who 
afterwards  turned  out  to  be  a  girl,)  thus  attacking  the  Arab  upon  his 
most  tender  point,  and— 

Eug.  And  pray,  could  I  have  rescued  her  without  assistance  ? 

Lean.  Oh,  my  worthy  father  insisted  upon  my  following  your  ad 
vice  and  example  in  all  things,  and  really  it  was  good  fun  to  see 
those  fellows  scour  off. 

Eug.  They  evidently  thought  us  the  advanced  guard  of  a  squadron 
of  Chasseurs,  or  we  might  not  have  found  our  task  so  easy. 


80  THE    VETERAN, 

Leon.  But  what's  become  of  the  girl  1 

Eug.  She  left  me  at  the  gates  of  the  city  to  seek  her  brother,  who, 
she  says  is  an  Emir  of  rank. 

Leon.  By  the  lord,  here  comes  somebody  of  importanca.  Now,  Eu 
gene,  let's  stand  upon  our  good  behavior.  -9 

Enter  OFL-AN-AGAN,   u.  E.  n.  attended. 

Oft.  Chieftains  from  the  Camp  of  the  Feringhee  commanded — I  am 
deputed  by  his  majesty  the  Sultan,  supreme  lord  of  all  the  earth  and 
controller  of  the  seas,  to  say  that  he  permits  you  to  bask  in  the 
itfe-giving  warmth  of  his  royal  presence  ;  prepare  thyselves  oh,  stran 
gers.  He  is  here  even  now.  Music. 

Enter  the  SULTAN  of  Myra.  numerously  attended  in  great  state.       He  seats 

himself  on  Nusmud.    All  prostate  themselves  save   LEON   and  EUGENE 

who    merely  bow.  (YussEF  a/so,)  in  his  dress  as  the  Emir  MOHAMMED 

enters,  and  stands  L.  of  the  throne     OQLOU   enters. 

Sul.  Arise  0,  Viziers,  and  the  rest.  What  unsainted  dogs  are  these 
whose  knees  bend  not  in  our  presence  ? 

Leon.  [Aside  to  EUGENE  ]  That's  polite  ! 

Oft.  [To  LEON.]  Be  quiet.  Great  Lord  of  the  world,  they  are 
poor  benighted  Kaffirs  who  are  unlearned  in  the  customs  of  the  most 
cultivated  Court  in  the  East. 

Sid:  Do  they  know  at  least  that  our  throne  is  not  approached  un 
til  their  unhallowed  feet  are  divested  of  shoes? 

Ofl.  So  please  your  Majesty,  the  poor  unbeliever's  can't  obey — be 
cause  their  shoes  are  boots. 

Sul.  Well,  let  it  pass.    What  are  these  Kaffirs  ? 

Ofl.  So  please  your  Greatness,  they  are  Christians  from — 

Sul.  May  the  Prophet  deliver  us  from  the  Devil!  What  would 
they  with  us  1 

JEug.  We  are  the  bearers  of  a  missive  to  your  Majesty,  from  our 
Lord  the  august  Emperor  of  the  French. 

Sul.  Who  holds  his  Crown  by  our  permission.    We  remember. 

Leon    Ha!  ha! 

Sul.  Who  laughed  1    By  Allah  ! 

Ofl.  No  one,  Light  of  the  Universe,  no  one.  This  poor  Kaffir 
is  struggling  with  whooping-cough— a  disease  unknown  to  those 
whose  health  must  thrive  under  the  shadow  of  your  Majesty's  pro 
tecting  sceptre. 

Sul.  Well,  proceed.  Let  me  see  the  missive.  [An  ATTENDANT  re 
ceives  the  dispatch  on  a  velvet  cushion,  and  hands  it  to  MOHAMMED,  who, 
kneeling,  presents  it  to  the  SULTAN.]  Enough.  Read,  0  Emir !  What  is 
its  purport  ? 

Mohammed.  (Yussef.)  Great  Sultan,  the  Feringhee  chief  desires  al 
liance  and  friendship  with  you  against  those  very  tribes  who,  next  to 
your  own  faithful  soldiers,  are  the  chief  defenders  of  your  throne. 

Sul.  Is  that  the  purport  of  the  missive  1 

Moh.  That  is  its  sole  intention. 

Sul.  Good.     We  will  consider  it  in  proper  time. 

KUQ.  May  it  please  your  majesty,  we  are  charged  with  some  words 


THE    VETERAN.  8] 

regarding  certain  prisoners,  now  in  your  possession,  said  to  be  Eu 
ropeans. 

Sid.  [Aside  to  MOHAMMED.]  Ah  !  can  they  know — 

Moh.  A  mere  suspicion.  \Tlt-cy  converse. 

Leon.  What  the  devil  are  they  whispering  about  1 

Eu</.  Hush! 

OJf.  His  majesty  consults  with  the  great  Emir  Mohammed,  who, 
next  to  myself,  is  his  chie,f  adviser.  [Aside.]  The  coffee-colored  om- 
adau'ii ! 

Eug.  And  is  th'at  the  clebrated  Emir  Mohammed  1  Why,  by  thf 
L- >!•(!,  it  can't  be — and  yet — 

Leon.  What's  the  matter  1 

£i(ff.  Nothing  ;  I'll  tell  you  by  and  by. 

StiL  A  word  with  thee,  O  Vizier.    [OFL-AN-AGAN  goes  to  SULTAX. 

Moh.  [To  OGLOU.  j  Those  two  Christian  women  who  were  saved 
from  the  wreck  of  the  English  steamer — .what  of  them  ? 

Oglou.  They  were  on  their  way  to  India  from  France. 

Moh.  Perchance  they  may  be  known  to  these  chieftains. 

Oglou.  Is  it- possible,  great  Emir. 

Moh.  Away,  and  see  that  they  be  kept  closely  imprisoned  in  the 
Seraglio  until  these  men  depart.  His  majesty  means  strictly  to  deny 
that  he  has  such  prisoners!  Stay  !  you  saw  Amineh  carried  off? 

Oglou.  I  did  ;  and  watched  the  men  who  captured  her  till  they  be 
came  specks  in  the  desert. 

Moh.  Enough !  look  Co  the  others. 

Oglou  I'm  going.  [Exit  L. 

Leon.  Look  at  these  fellows,  Eugene,  whispering  and  plotting— in 
venting  some  fables  to  amuse  us,  I'll  warrant. 

Eug.  Don't  judge  them  too  hastily.  That  Yizier  eeems  inclined 
to  be  friendly  towards  us.  Besides  they  can  have  no  motive  for  de 
ceiving  us  on  such  a  point. 

Sul.  We  have  consulted  with  our  principal  advisers,  0  Chief  of  the 
Feringbees,  and.  by  their  information,  we  find  that  you  have  been  de 
ceived.  We  have  no  European  prisoners  now  within  our  walls. 

Eug.  Yet  we  can  assure  your  majesty,  our  information  was  most 
precise. 

Ofl.  Ob.  most  wretched  and  cloud-enveloped  barbarians  !  Do  you 
not  know  that  truth  ever  falls  from  the  lips  like  the  sweet  drop's  that 
revive  the  sun-dried  earth,  but  that  falsehood  blisters  the  tongue  that 
utters  it  even  like  unto  whiskey  that  has  been  tried  by  proof  and  found 
wanting!  Doth  not  the  profound  sage,  Doctor  O'Toole,  say,  in  the 
original  Sanscrit — Go  bragh  ga  snua girth  padrouskeen.  gothether  sloivtha 
yra  galmachrce.  which,  being  interpreted,  means,  it's  prudent  some 
times  to  hould  a  candle  to  the  divil,  and  a  nod's  as  good  as  a  wink  to 
a  couple  of  blind  horses. 

Eug.  Enough.  We  would  not  insult  his  majesty  by  doubting  his 
princely  word,  even  in  thought. 

Re-enter  OGLOU  L. 

Oglou.  My  Lord !  my  Lord  ! 

Moh.  Oglou — speak — what  has  happened  7 


32  THE   VETERAN. 

Oglou.  She  has  escaped. 

Moh.  One  of  the  prisoners  ? 

Oglou.  Worse,  your  sister! 

Moh.  Have  her  seized  and  taken  to  nay  palace !  Quick !  Be 
gone  !  •  [Exit  OGLOU.  L.  1  E. 

Sul.  Thou  hast  said  well,  0  Christian  !  A  monarch's  word  should 
be  like  the  Prophet's,  once  pronounced,  immutable  !  [AMINEH  en 
ters,]  and  if  the  Sultan  tells  thee  he  has  no  prisoners — 

Ami.  He  would  speak  falsely  !  [  General  sensation. 

Eug.  [To  LEON.]  By  heavens!  'tis  she  ! 

Mah.  Amineh  dearest !  thou — 

Ami.  My  brother !    The  Arab  does  not  lie  ! 


Tableau. 
EXD  OP  ACT   m. 


ACT    I  V  . 


SCENE  I. — A  room  in  the  Palace — LEON  and  EUGENE  discovered 

Eug.  And  now,  my  dear  fellow,  you  know  the  whole  truth. 

Leon.  Yes.  /know  it,  but  what  will  Blanche  sav  when  she  knows 
if? 

Eug.  Believe  me,  we  hardly  knew  our  own  minds.  An  attachment, 
such  as  it  was,  grew  more  from  the  habit  of  our  being  so  much  to- 
together,  than  any  other  cause — mixed,  perhaps,  with  a  little  of  that 
perverseness  indigenous  to  humanity,  when  we  find  or.r  wills  and  our 
persons  disposed  of  without  onr  own  consent. 

Leon.  Yes,  yes,  my  friend,  that's  your  side  of  the  argument. 

Eug.  Aye.  and  hers,  too ;  believe  me,  were  it  otherwise,  spite  of 
my  devoted  love  for  this  Arab  girl,  my  honor  would  compel  the  ful 
filment  of  my  vows  to  Blanche. 

'*  Leon.  Of  that,  I  am  well  assured,  or  I  do  not  know  my  friend  as  I 
h.ad  thought.  But  of  the  fact,  we'll  be  soon  convinced,  if,  as  I  con 
jecture,  these  lady  prisoners  should  turn  out  to  be  Mrs.  MacShake 
and  our  little  Blanche. 

Eug.  Our  little  Blanche — why  don't  you  say  your  little  Blanche — 
which  would  end  the  whole  difficulty — for  I  will  not  conceal  from 
you,  Leon,  that  I  have  long  known  your  secret  attachment  to  her. 

Leon.-  My  what  1 


THE    VETERAN.  3S 

Eug.  Your  attachment  to  her,  which  you  concealed  from  friend 
ship  lor  me . 

Leon.  Did  I  though  1 

Eug.  Ah,  Leon,  Leon  !  I  see  deeper  into  the  well  of  my  friend's 
i  desires,  than  he  does  himself. 

„     Leon.  Yes — you  proved  that  when  you  undertook   to  explain  my 
.father's. 

.     Eug.  No  matter.    I  told  you  right  at  any  rate — I  told  you  you  were 
.formed  for  a  soldier,  and  I've  turned  out  a  prophet  there,    you'll 
.admit.     So  now  do  I  tell  you  you  always  loved  Blanche. 
.     Leon.  How  amiable  of  you  to  take  her  from  me.  thenl 
.     Eug.  I  was  under  a  delusion — you  must  pardon  it,  dear  Leon.  But 
.1  remember  things  now  that  then  I  hardly  noticed. 

<  Leon.  So  it  appears. 

t     Eug.  Yes ;  for  instance,  when  you  found  us  alone  together,   you 

<wo aid  flush,  and  then  turn  pale. 

i     Leon.  Oh,  come,  I  say. 

;     Eug.  You  did,  you  did  ;   and  she,  I  could  well  see,  was  indulging 

*  in  sonic  silent  grief — 

<  Leon.  Was  she  ? 

t     Eug.  There  was  a  secret  worm  knawing  at  her  breast. 

*  Leon.  No.  you  don't  say  so! 

<  Eug.  It  puzzled  me  at  the  time,  but  now  it  all  comes  out. 
Leon.  The  worm  7 

*  Eug.  No,  the  truth  ;  I  must  have  been  blind. 

*  Leon.  But  you  can  see  now  1 

t     Eug.  Yes,  indeed  I  can.     How  is  it,  I  wonder  1 

<  Leon.  Don't  know,  I'm  sure — living  in  the  desert,  I  suppose — sand 
.is  so  good  for  the  eyes. 

Eug.  A  truce  to  badinage.  Will  you  promise  to  ascertain  the  truth 
when  you  see  her  1 

Leon.  Certainly,  if  I  do  see  her,  but  it  strikes  me  that  may  not  be  so 
easy.  If  it  bad  not  occurred  to  the  Vizier  to  be  answerable  for  our 
good  conduct  with  his  own  head,  I  don't  think  we  should  be  quife  so 
free  in  our  actions  ;  though  confound  'em,  they've  taken  our  swords 
and,  without  mine,  I  feel  as  if  a  third  arm  were  lopped  off. 

Music—  OFL-AX-AGAN  appears  at  the  window  R.  of  flat. 

Eug.  Hush !  what  noise  is  that  ?         [OFL-AN-AGAN  blows  out  light. 
Leon.  Pardie  !  the  light's  out. 

OFL-AN-AGAX  climbs  into  the  window,  muffled  in  a  dark  cloak. 

Eug.  And  we  unarmed  ! 

Leon.  We  are  going  to  be  quietly  assassinated  !     Who  goes  there  ? 

Ofl.  Hush!  be  quiet.  [Takes  off  cloak,  then  hangs  it' up  before  window.} 
There,  now  we'll  have  a  light.  [ Strikes' a  lu/ht  and  reliqlits  lamp. 

Eug.  The  Vizier ! 

Ofl.  That  same  unworthy  servant  of  the  Prophet,  and  prime  minis 
ter  of  Myra. 

Leon.  Is  it  the  custom  in  this  part  of  the  world  for  prime  ministers 
to  walk  in  at  the  windows  ? 


34  THE    VETERAN. 

Ofl.  Juvenile  Kaffir,  be  silent  until  you  hear  and  comprehend,  for 
hath  not  the  sage  written.  "  Words  to  the  patient  hearer  shall  fructify 
and  bear  instruction,  and  he  is  wise  to  listen,  but  he  who  interrupteth 
the  expounder,  remaineth  barren  of  knowledge,  and  maketh  of  him 
self  a  Judy." 

Eug.  Your  lordship  may  speak.     We  await  your  words. 

Ofl.  Do  you  comprehend  now  why  I  screened  the  window  7 

Eug.  I  protest,  not. 

Ofl.  [Sits  between  them.}  Do  you  comprehend  now  why  I  screened 
the  window  1 

Leon.  Upon  my  soul.  I  don't. 

Ofl.  [Producing  bottle}  Do  you  comprehend  xow  why  I  screened  the 
window  ? 

Eug.  I  believe  I  do. 

Leon.  And  I  comprehend  why  you  came  in  at  the  window. 

Ofl.  It  would  not  have  been  well  for  the  fellows  who  loiter  about 
the  palace  to  observe  my  visits  ;  and  up  to  the  window  is  asy  climb- 
Ing.  Be  happy,  0  Christian  chiefs,  for  my  presence  shall  be  unto  you 
refreshing,  even  as  the  sweet  waters  of  the  oasis. 

Leon.  Is  this  sweet  water  ? 

Ofl.  No  ;  but  it's  strong  whiskey.  I  gave  a  hundred  piasters  for 
some  cases  that  were  taken  from  the  stranded  steamer,  on  board  of 
which  these  lady  prisoners  were  found.  So  let  us  drink,  for  it  is 
wicked  to  waste  the  good  things  of  the  earth  whilst  the  Prophet  per 
mits  us  to  enjoy  them. 

Eug.  Now,  if  we  had  but  glasses — 

[OFL-AN-AGAN  goes  to  recess.  L.  u.  E. 

Ofl.  Here  they  are — ah  ha !  [Apostrophizing  glass.}  You  white, 
mealy-looking  thief,  you've  never  held  anything  but  water.  If  you 
can  sparkle  any  brighter,  now's  your  time,  for  I  m  going  to  present 
you  to  something  with  more  life  in  it  than  ever  you  contained  be 
fore.  [Fills  glasses.}  Gentlemen,  here's  to  you.  . 

Eug.  Thanks,  my  good  friend,  for  so  I  must  call  you.  But  tell  me 
of  Amineh. 

Oft.  What,  has  the  daughter  of  the  desert  touched  the  proud  heart 
of  the  Frank — or.  to  speak  poetically,  have  ye  a  sneaking  kindness  in 
that  quarter  ?  Well,  then,  listen.  How  d'ye  think  I  got  her  out  of 
the  scrape  ? 

Eug.  Tell  us,  good  Vizier,  tell  us  quickly. 

Ofl.  Know  ye  not,  0  chief,  that  when  Allah  clothes  the  mind  of 
woman  or  of  man  in  darkness,  the  Arab  looks  upon  the  victim  with 
reverence,  even  as  on  one  reserved  for  some  special  revelation  of  his 
power  ? 

Leon.  I  don't  exactly  see — 

Ofl.  Well,  then,  I'll  be  practical  again.  When  any  one's  crazy  in 
these  parts,  they  can  do  whatever  devilment  they  like  and  nobody 
interferes  with  them. 

Eug.  Yes — well— 

Ofl.  Well,  just  as  the  ould  alligator — 

Leon.  Who  1 

Ofl.  Just  as  our  Lord  the   Sultan  was  about  to   order  her  to  be 


THE    VETERAN.  35 

strangled,  I  found   out  that  she  was  even  as  one  chosen  by  Allah — or 
to  be  still  more  practical — I  swore  she  was  as  mad  as  be  d — d. 

Eug.     And  that  saved  her  1 

Oft.  Saved  her;  be  the  sowl  of  the  Sultan  Brian  Boroihme  it  did 
more,  for  they  all  tumbled  down  on  their  faces,  and  the  ould  Sultan 
went  to  prayers — so  now  she  is  free  to  come  or  to  go  where  she  likes. 
[To  LEON.]  "And  now,  my  young  friend,  I  must  crave  permission  for  a 
fe\v  words  with  you  alone. 

[OFL-AN-AGAX  gels  gradually  a  little  inflated  with  drink 

Leon.  With  me  1 

Ofl.  Aye, 'truly —  I  have  words  for  thine  ear,  that  shall  sound  even 
as  the  harps  of  the  blessed  Houri's  ;  but  they  must  be  spoken  to  you 
only.  The  other  don't  take  the  hint.  {To  EUGEXE.]  Can  you  writa 
Arabic. 

Eug.  Fortunately — yes — 

Ofl.     Go  and  write  then — and  I'll  bear  the  letter,  you  understand  1 

Eug.  You  are  our  guardian  Geni.  {Exit  R.  1  B. 

Ofl.  -What  guardian  Janius 7  Faith,  I  never  was  a  janius,  tho' 
pretty  smart  for  a  boy  without  education — and  now,  0,  Frank,  listen, 
and  let  my  words  sink  into  the  sub-soil  of  thy  heart,  and  there  take 
speedy  root.  There  is  in  the  palace,  a  lady  of  great  beauty,  and 
most  determined  will — her  name  is  Gulnare. 

Leon.  Well— 

Ofl.  She  saw  you  from  a  window  of  the  Seraglio,  and  with  that 
electric  quickness  which  none  but  Orientals  comprehend,  she  conceiv 
ed  for  you  a  violent  passion. 

Leon.  Extraordinary — 

Ofl.  You  may  say  that  for  /  was  standing  beside  you. 

Leon.  You  were  1 

Ofl.  Yes — so  much  for  taste — however,  that's  her  business — poor 
creature,  she  has  commissioned  me  to  promise  you  an  interview  in 
her  Zenana  to-night,  now  I  accepted  in  your  name  because — 

Leon.  No — but — I — 

Ofl.  Silence,  rash  boy  !  Be  asy,  stupid !  Do  you  not  see  that  your 
friend  and  self  are  looked  on  here  more  as  prisoners  than_  ambassa 
dors  7 

Leon.  It  certainly  has  struck  us  forcibly. 

Ofl.  Yes,  and  something  else  will  strike  you  forcibly,  if  you  don't 
listen  to  my  advice  ;  go  keep  the  appointment — affect  to*  return  her 
passion— use  her  influence  to  obtain  your  own  escape  and  that  of 
these  lady  prisoners  who  are  under  her  care.  Enough — I  have  said  ! 

Leon.  Best  of  fellows !  But  why  all  this  interest  in  your  kind 
heart  for  mere  strangers  7 

Ofl.  Don't  ask  impertinent  questions,  you'll  know  all  in  good  time. 
Take  this  key — open  the  door  at  the  end  of  yonder  corridor — you'll 
there  see  another  door — press  on  the  top  panel — and  there  yon  are. 
No  more  thanks — don't  lose  moments  that  may  be  precious. 

Leon.  Two  words  to  my  friend,  and  I  am  gone.  {Exit  K.  1  E. 

Oft.  { Who  has  been  drinking  at  intervals  during  the  scene.]  I  be 
gin  to  experience  the  profound  calm  of  a  mind  consciaus  of  its  own 


i)  THE    VETERAN. 

rectitude  ;  the  very  air  is  becoming  musical.  [Drinks]  And  there's 
something  ringing  in  my  ears — tunes  that  I  havn't  heard  since  I  was 
a  boy.  All !  here's  the  person  that  held  the  liquid  enchanther.  I've  let 
him  out  and  while  my  mouth  was  unconsciously  open,  he  slipped 
into  my  brows  where  he's  amusing  himself  painting  beautiful  pic 
tures  on  golden  slates,  and  making  my  eye  right  drunk  with  visions 
of  home  ;  my  memory  moves  about  in  a  sea  of  happy  thoughts,  and 
the  very  head  inside  of  me  fairly  jumps  like  a  hungry  salmon  after 
summer  flies,  and  now  with  the  last  drop  in  the  bottle,  I  drink  bitter 
had  luck  to  the  durty  pup  who  does'nt  love  the  kennel  he  was  kitten 
ed  in,  even  though  he  was  a  marmaid  and  drew  his  fust  breath  on  the 
ground  floor  of  the  bottomless  ocean.  Hurrah  !  Quid  Ireland  !  it's 
you  that's  my  darlin  early  or  late,  now  and  forever,  in  secula  secu- 
lorum. 

SONG  : — OFL-AN-AGAN. 
Ould  Ireland  you're  my  Darlin1. 

Ould  Ireland  you're 

My  jewel  shure, 
My  heart's  delight  and  glory, 

Till  time  shall  pass 

His  empty  glass, 
Your  name  shall  live  in  story. 

And  this  shall  be 

The  song  for  me 
The  first  my  heart  was  larnin'. 

Before  my  tongue 

One  accent  sung^- 
Ould  Ireland  you're  my  darlin'. 

My  blessin's  on 

Each  manly  son 
Of  thine  who  will  stand  by  thee, 

But  hang  the  knave 

And  dastard  slave 
So  base  as  to  deny  thee. 

Then  bowld  and  free 

While  yet  for  me 
The  globe  is  ronnd  us  whirling 

My  song  shall  he 

Gra  galmachree 
Ould  Ireland  you're  my  darlin' 

Sweet  spot  of  earth 

That  gave  me  birth, 
Deep  in  my  soul  I  cherish, 

While  life  remains 

Within  these  veins, 
A  love  that  ne'er  can  perish. 


THE    VETERAN.  37 

If  it  was  a  thing 

That  I  could  sing 
Like  any  thrush  or  starlin,' 

In  cage  or  tree, 

My  song  should  be 
Ould  Ireland  you're  my  darlin.' 

[Knocking.]  Come  in!  [Very  gently.]  If  ould  Bubble  and 
Squeak  should  send  for  me  now — [Knocking.]  Come  in  !  [As  'be 
fore.]  I  say  if  lie  should  send — [Knocking.]  Stay  out !  .[ Aloud.] 
Where's  the" bottle  1  By  the  Lord  if  they — eh  !  Oh  !  here  it  is. 
[Hides  it.]  I'm  getting  sleepy.  [Knock.]  Stay  out !  Come  in! 

Enter  MOHAMMED,  L.  2  E. 

Moh.  My  Lord,  the  Vizier— 

Ofl.  Why  the  devil  did  you  stand  there  knocking — why  didn't  you 
stay  out  when  I  said  come  in.  I  mean  why  didn't  you  come  in  when 
I  said — so — why — well,  sir,  I  pause  for  a  repljr. 

Moh.  I  have  but  a  few  moments  for  words — give  ear,  for  those 
words  are  important. 

Enter  AMINBH,  L.  2  E. — Seeing  MOHAMMED,  she  conceals  herself  behind 
curtains. 

Ofl.  I  should  hope  they  were.  No  man  in  Myra  would  presume 
to  waste  my  time  by  uttering  words  that  are  not  important. 

[Sleepily. 

Moh.  Know  then,  0  Vizier,  that  the  Sultan  has  sent  a  message  of 
friendship  to  the  chief,  Delmar.  This  message  is  to  invite  him  here 
to  Myra,  to  confer  with  him  touching  the  mission  of  these  younger 
chieftans,  one  of  whom,  is  his  son.  Do  you  listen  1 

Oft.  With  all  my  eyes— ears,  I  mean.  The  French  Chiefs  got  a  son 
— I  congratulate  him.  [Sleeps. 

Moh.  The  old  man  is  even  at  this  moment  on  his  journey  hither. 
He  comes  blindly  into  the  very  jaws  of  death!  you  do  not  heed — 

Ofl.  Yes,  I  do— I  say.    I  congratulate  him.  [Sleeps. 

Moh.  The  tortures  of  Jehanum  are  in  store  for  them.  For  our 
Lord,  the  Sultan,  whose  judgment  is  supreme,  and  whose  will  is  un 
changeable,  has  decreed  that  the  three  Christians  shall  be  strangled, 
and  their  bodies  hung  from  the  battlements  of  the  outer  wall.  [OFL- 
AN-AGAN  snores.]  What  say  you  ? 

Oft.  I  say  the  cow  shall  stay  where  she  is. 

Moh.  Madman  or  fool !  I'll  hold  no  further  converse  with  thee — 
thou  art  possessed  of  the  Evil  One,  and  will  lose  a  sight  more  pleasing 
to  the  true  believer,  even  than  the  green  standard  of  the  Prophet — 
the  sacrifice  of  the  Prophet's  foe  [Exit  L.  2  E. 

Ami.  He's  gone !  now  to  awaken  the  Vizier.  But  how  ?  oh,  heart 
be  strong — limbs  fail  me  not,  for  life  and  love  are  on  thy  speed  and 
/irmness.  My  lord,  my  lord,  there's  danger. 

Ofl.  What,  eh  !  who  calls  ] . 


38  THE    VETERAN. 

Ami.  'Tis  I,  Amineh,  the  Emir's  sister :  listen,  if  you  value  the 
lives  of  those  you  would  befriend— if  you  prize  your  own  happiness. 

Oft.  Lives,  friends,  eh  ? 

Ami.  Those  chiefs — those  Christians. 

Oft.  Ural  eh!  Christians. 

Ami.  If  you  arouse  not  from  this  lethargy,  their  doom  is  scaled— 
their  blood  is  on  your  bands ! 

Ofl.  Eh  !  what — the  Christians  blood  ?  ah  !  the  Emir — I  remember 
• — and  I — fool — madman  that  I  am!  away  to  Gulnare  !  I  can  do 
nothing  until  this  fit  is  off.  [Exit  AMINEH,  L.]  Here  Osraan,  Seyd, 
where  are  ye,  rascals  1 

Enter  ATTENDANTS,  2  E.  B. 

Quick !  go  !  no,  stay — yes,  go  and  stop  the  Colonel  ;  no— yes— here 
take  my  sword.  [Giving  bottle.}  Damn  the  bottle!  [TJiroccs  it  away.] 
Run—  uo>  stop!  come  hither  !  See'st  thou  yonder  fountain? 

Osman.  I  do,  my  lord. 

Ofl.  Take  me  and  put  me  under  it. 

Seyd.   My  lord. 

Oft.  D'ye  hear  me,  dogs  !  Obey  me — get  buckets — souse  me — 
sink  me  ! 

Osman.  Is  my  lord  in  earnest  1 

Of-.  Earnest !  Ye  sons  of  unnumbered  hogs !  Obey  me — or  I'll 
have  ye  flayed  alive  !  I  tell  ye  the  lives  of  men  to  whom  ye  are  even 
as  the  offal  of  the  gutters  is  to  the  shining  gems  of  India,  may  de 
pend  on  your  quickness  ! 

Seyd.  The  spirit  of  prophecy  is  upon  him. 

Ofl.  The  spirit  of  poteen  is  upon  me,  ye  blackguards  !  Place 
me  under  water,  and  if  ye  move  me  until  I'm  half-drowned,  I'll 
make  ye  walk  skinless  in  the  burning  sun,  with  no  covering  but 
your  bones  !  Away  !  away  ! 

Osman  and  Seyd.  Bismillah  !     Mashallah!    [They  bear  him  off. 


SCENE  II. — GULNARE'S  Zenana  in  the  Palace. 
BLANCHE   discovered. — She  is  in  ARAB  Costume. 

Blanche.  Well,  dear  Mrs.  McShake  may  say  what  she  pleases, 
there  are  some  things  in  Algerine  life  that  are  pleasant  enough,  and 
considering  that  we  are  prisoners,  we  are  treated  with  a  great  deal 
of  civility, — but  Oh  !  France — dear,  dear  France!  Would  I  not  give 
all  these  servants — fine  dresses — jewels — aye,  and  this  little  right 
hand  into  the  bargain,  to  find  myself  at  home  again !  The  dear  old 
Colonel  who,  no  doubt,  wonders  why  he  has  not  heard  of  our  safe 
arrival  in  India.  Poor  Eugene — and  Leon — Leon — there,  now,  I  do 
believe  I'm  going  to  cry  again  !  It's  very  odd — when  I  think  of  the 
Colonel  and  Eugene,  I'm  sad  enough,  bnt  when  I  think  of  Leon,  I 
always  begin  to  cry  !  Now,  why  should  that  be  1  Why  don't  I  cry 
for  Eugene  1  Mrs.  McShake  says  he's  the  proper  person  to  cry  for, 
and  I  suppose  she's  right,  but  -  •• 


THE    VETERAN.  99 

[Enter  MRS.  MACSHAKE,  u.  E.  R.,  in  a  peculiar  Costume,  with  a  flat 
tened  paper-box  in  her  hand. 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  Blanche,  my  dear,  I  hope  you'll  give  me  some 
credit  for  penetration  in  future. 

Blanche.  Well,  my  dear  Madame,  what  new  discovery  have  you 
made  1 

Mrs.  M.  Prepare  yourself,  my  dear.  You  know  perfectly  well  how 
often  I  have  remarked  that  it  was  not  for  nothing  that  we  were 
treated  so  civilly  by  these  barbarians — that  this  Madame  Gulnare,  or 
whatever  she  calls  herself,  had  her  motives,  as  well  as  the  rest  of  them. 
'Well,  by  diligently  pumping  Amineh — 

-  Blanche.  Pumping  Amineh'? 

«  Mrs.  M.  Not  iu  an  aquatic  point  of  view,  my  dear  ;  pumping,  in  its 
'inquisitive  sense.  I  have  discovered  that  Mrs.  Gulnare  is  no  more  or 
"less  than  a — well,  she's  no  lawfully-married  woman. 

Blanche.  Well,  but  you  know  that,  according  to  their  laws  here — 
for  which,  poor  thing,  she  is  not  to  blame — 

Mrs.  M.  Don't  talk  stuff,  my  darling.    Laws  here,  indeed  !    No  wo- 

•  man  of  intuititive  delicacy  would  submit  to  such  laws.    But  what  are 
you  to  expect  from  people  who  eat  with  their  fingers,  and  can't  even 
sit  down  properly?    Not  a  chair  in  the  whole  place — lopping  and 
lolling  about  in  such  a  lazy  and  disgusting  manner! 

Blanche.  But,  dear,  they  are  taught  from  infancy — 

Mrs.  M.  There  you  are  again  !  Taught  from  infancy !  She's  no  m- 
fant  now,  heaven  knows.  She's  quite  old  enough  to  be  aware  that  it's 
neither  pretty  nor  proper  to  tuck  one's  heels  under  one,  and  twist 
one's  self  into  knots.  And  as  to  you,  Blanche,  you  really  astonish  me 
sometimes  ;  you  are  absolutely  falling  into  some  of  their  fashions. 
Look  at  youv  dress.  Very  pretty  for  an  opera-dancer,  perhaps  ;  but 
do  you  call  that  skirt  a  proper  length  for  a  young  French  lady  of  good 
birth  ? 

Blanche.  But,  dear  madam,  you  know  we  lost  nearly  all  our  clothes 
with  the  wreck,  and  I'm  sure  I  wore  those  I  had  tiil  they  were  in  tat 
ters  ;  then  I  was  obliged  to  take  what  the  Sultan  sent  me.  Why,  you 
yourself  have  adopted  their  costume. 

Mrs  M.  In  its  material,  miss,  but  not  in  its  shortness.  If  one  wasn't 
long  enough,  couldn't  you  have  another  sewn  on  to  it,  as  I  did?  But 
/  have  the  last  remnant  of  my  dear  country's  costume,  carefully  pre 
served  ;  and,  should  we  happily  be  rescued  from  this  barbarous  den, 
I  at  least  shall  present  a  civilized  appearance.  [Producing  a  bonnet. 

Blanche.  But  to  the  point — to  the  point,  dear  madam. 

Mrs.  M.  Oh  yes.  Well,  then,  know  that  that  villainous  old  Sultan 
intends  to  confer  on  you  the  honor  of  marriage 

Blanche.  What! 

Mrs  M.  Marriage,  my  dear,  according  to  their  beautiful  laws  here, 
"  taught  them  from  infancy — " 

Blanche.  No,  no  ;  you  have  been  deceived,  depend  upon  it. 

Mrs.  M.  Deceived — no  indeed — my  information  is  sure  enough. 
Amineh  herself  told  me  not  an  hour  ago. 

Blanche.  Fear  not  dearest  friend   for  me.     Amineh  has  sworn  to 


40  T/1IS    VETERAN. 

protect  me.  I  am  no  heroine,  but  rather  than  submit  to  such  a  fate 
I  would  implore  her  by  every  womanly  feeling,  to  take  my  life. 

Mrs.  M.  That's  my  noble  girl.  [Embracing  her.  Music.]  Hark: 
what  noise  ? 

Blanche.  It  comes  from  the  wall — approaches  nearer  :  great  heaven  ! 
for  what  are  we  reserved  1 

A  panel  gradually  opens — LEON  appears. 

Leon.  So,  so — all's  right — and  this,  I  suppose,  is  the  lady  Gulnare's 
Zenana,  or,  as  we  should  call  it,  boudoir. 

Blanche.  'Tis  Leon ! 

Mrs.  M.  Impossible  ! 

Blanche.  It  is — it  is — Oh,  thank  heaven  ! 

Mrs.  M.  Stay — let  us  observe. 

Leon.  [Closing  panel.]  So  far,  so  good — and  now  to  determine 
what  course  I  shall  pursue  with  her  imperious  ladvship. 

Blanche.  Leon  ! 

Leon.  Blanche!  [They  embrace. 

Mrs.  M.  Leon,  my  dear  Leon. 

Leon.  As  I  suspected,  by  heavens  ! 

Blanche.  But  you — how  came  you  here,  in  Myra.  Oh,  my  poor 
heart,  I  shall  go  wild  with  joy — Leon — dear,  dear  Leon  ! 

Leon.  She  does'rit  ask  after  Eugene.  [Aside. 

Mrs.  M.  My  dear — my  dear — discretion. 

Blanche.  Oh,  my  dear  ;  don't  bother,  I've  no  time  for  discretion — 
for  anything  but  Leon.  Leon,  you've  come  to  save  us.  • 

Leon  Yes — dear  Blanche ;  but  you  must  be  calm.  Everything  de 
pends  on  prudence.  All  explanations  must  be  deferred  to  a  future 
period 

Blanche.  I  don't  wan't  any  explanations.  You  are  here,  and  that 
is  all  I  care  for. 

Leon.  Where  is  Gulnare  1 

Blanche.  Ah,  true — she  will  be  here,  no  doubt,  immediately,  and 
after  all — 

Mrs.  M.  Will  she  1  Then  I  shall  retire.  You  may  make  what  ex 
cuses  you  please  for  her  very  questionable  position  in  life,  but  /  don't 
associate  even  in  Arabia,  with  any  such  trash!  stay — Leon  do  you 
give  Blanche  all  the  news  of  home,  while  I  watch  her  approach. 

Blanche.  Will  you,  my  dear,  dear  madame,  how  good  you  are. 

Mrs.  M.  But  remember  to  say  all  you've  got  to  say  quickly,  for  we 
are  never  left  long  alone.  I'll  give  you  due  warning  ot  her  approach. 

[Exit  L.  2  E. 

Blanche.  Now  dear  Leon,  come  sit  by  me  and  let  rne  know  in  the 
first  place,  how  you  found  your  way  here  ? 

Leon.  All  that,  I  must  reserve  for  a  future  time.  [Aside.]  No  Eu 
gene  yet. 

Blanche.  And— and — Eugene — 

Leon.    [Aside.]    There  he  is  at  last  ;   she  does  love  him !    Eugene, 
too,  is  well.     Blanche  dear. 
Blanche.  Yes,  Leon. 


THE    VKTERAN.  41 


Leon.  I  made  Eugene  a  promise. 

Blanche.  Did  you  ? 

Leon.  Yes,   that  I  would  reveal  to  you  a  fact.     Prepare  yourself. 

Blanche.  Go  on,  go  on. 

Leon.  Well,  you  know,  that  you  and  he  — 

Blanche.  Yes,  I  know  we  did,  well  1 

Leon.  This  agitation  —  this  impatience,  makes  m,e  fearful  of  saying 
what  I  promised. 

Blanche.  Don't  ;  don't  torture  me,  Leon. 

Leon.  [Aside.]  Poor  little  thing—  it  must  be  told. 

Blanche.  Well  then  make  haste  about  it. 

Leon.  Blanche,  Eugene  does  not  love  you  ! 

Blanche.  Ah  !  [A  scream  of  joy. 

Leon.  There,  I  knew  it,  and  not  an  ounce  of  smelling  salts  in  this 
d  —  d  barbarous  country  !  Look  up,  look  up,  Blanche!  he  was  infatu 
ated  —  [Kisses  he]-}  —  lost  —  [Kisses  her.]  Dear  darling  Blanche  [Kisses 
her]  forgive  me.  I  don't  know  what  I'm  saying  !  » 

Blanche.  Do  you  know  what  you're  doing  ? 

Leon.  Yes,  no,  I  thought  you'd  think  it  was  Eugene.  Listen. 
Blanche,  he  loves  another. 

Blanche.  So  do  I. 

Leon.  What  —  why  you  don't  mean,  eh  ?  what,  vie'1.  Here-s  a  dis 
covery  !  but  when,  how  ? 

Blanche.  [Imitating  LEON'S  former  manner.]  All  that  must  I  reserve 
for  a  future  time. 

Leon.  Then  Eugene  was  right,  and  he  knew  your  heart  as*well  as  he 
did  mine  — 

Blanche.  Did  he  ? 

Leon.  Yes,  he  told  me  I  loved  you,  and  didn't  know  it. 

Blanche.  Did  he  1 

Leon.  Yes  —  and  that  you  had  something  nasty,  gnawing  at  your 
heart,  and  you  didn't  know  it.  I  begin  to  agree  with  the  favorite 
Arabian  Philosophy. 

Blanche.  What's  that  dear  1 

Leon.  [Embracing  her.]  That  everything  happens  for  the  best  in 
world. 

Enter  MRS.  MACSHAKE,  L.  2  E. 

Mrs^JM.  There  they  are,  both  tucked  up  in  that  horrible  eastern  at 
titude.  Leon,  you  had  better  retire  at  once,  the  creature  is  coming. 

Leon.  Nay,  my  year  madame,  it  is  by  her  own  invitation  I  am  here. 

Mrs.  M.  Her  own  invitation  —  and  why  1  Wherefore  —  I  should  like 
to  know—  you  —  a  young  man  —  a  perfect  stranger.  Blanche,  say  fare 
well  to  Leon,  for  a  time,  and  follow  me.  There's  no  telling  who  this 
polygamic  fever  may  attack  next.  I  don't  know  that  I'm  safe  my 
self.  [Exit  R.  u.  E. 

Blanche.  Oh,  Leon  !  how  came  she  to  invite  you  here  1  I'm  not 
disposed  to  be  jealous  a  bit  —  but  you  have  been  here  as  long  as  I  have, 
and  you've  no  idea  how  unscrupulous-they  are  when  they  take  a  fancy. 

Leon.  Listen,  dearest.  The  Vizier,  who,  for  some  reason  I  cannot 
fathom,  appears  to  be  our  sincere  friend,  instructed  me  to  come  here 


42  THE  VETERAN. 

and  in  order  tc,  secure  Gulnare's  aid  for  our  escape,  to  pretend  to  re 
ciprocate  her  passion. 

Blanche.  Her  passion!  good  gracious,  then  it  is  as  I  feared,  and 
you  are  the  handsome  Feringhee,  she  was  raving  about  to  me  all  yes 
terday. 

Leon.  But,  my  darling,  only  io  pretend. 

Blanche.  Yes,  but  1  don't  think  she'll  be  contented  with  pretending. 

Leon.  I  must  try*at  ar?y  rate,  for  your  sake,  for  mine,  for  all.  If 
lonly  knew  their  confounded  Arabic  well  enough  to  make  love  in  it. 

Blanche.  Oh,  its  very  easy — Amineh  taught  me  a  great  deal — for 
instance — the  stronger  phrases  you  employ  the  better.  Paradise  must 
be  used  frequently. 

Leon.  Paradise  1 

Blanche.  Yes,  and  Bul-bul,  which  is  Arabic  for  Nightingale;  but 
avoid  lehanum — whatever  you  do,  avoid  lehanum. 

Leon.  Ah  !   that's  not  Arabic  for  Paradise,  I  suppose  1 

Blanche.  Not  at  all.     [Pointing  down.}     Just  the  contrary. 

Leon.  Ah  !  I  see. 

Blanche.  Then  you  must  be  particularly  careful  to — [Music.]  She's 
coming. 

Leon.  And  her  female  attendants.     I'm  sorry  for  that. 

Blanche.  Well,  I'm  not.  Now,  dear  Leon,  I  must  not  be  found 
with  you.  Oh,  how  happy  this  meeting  has  made  your  little 
Blanche  !  Farewell — and,  I  say,  I  dearest — 

Leon.  Well. 

Blanch6.  You  must  pretend,  I  suppose  1 

Leon.  I  fear  so,  love. 
•    Blanche.  Well,  don't  pretend  too  much. 

Leon.  Never  fear  me. 

(i     Blanche.  Because,  you  know,  strong  pretensions  sometimes  pre- 
r<cede  tender  engagements. 

<     Leon.  She's  here,  away,  my  dearest  Blanche,  and  trust  all  to  my 
•<love  and  truth.  [Exit  BLANCHE,  u.  R.  R. 

Leon.  Pardie  !  this  dismissing  her  attendants  at  the  outer  door — 
all  but  me  ;  my  task  won't  be  so  easy  after  all.  What  the  devil  did 
Blanche  say  about  Bul-bul,  lehanum,  and — well,  I  must  trust  to  fate. 

Enter  GULNARE  2  E.  c.  attended  by  one  slave — She  seats  herself  on 
ottoman,  and  removes  her  vail — Music  ceases.        *• 

Leon.  By  all  the  graces,  she's  a  fine  creature. 

Gul.  Stranger,  before  I  tell  you  of  my  reasons  for  demanding  your 
presence,  it  is  well  you  should  know  the  penalty  of  discovery — 

Leon.  To  me,  fair  lady  ? 

Gul.  To  me. 

Leon.  To  you  there  should  be  none  :  if  danger  exists,  the  man  should 
face  it,  not  the  woman. 

Gul.  'Tis  well  said  ;  but  know,  O  Christian,  that  were  the  Sultan 
to  discover  thy  visit  here,  the  dagger,  and  the  deep  waters  of  the  riv 
er  flowing  beneath  these  walls,  were  rny  certain  fate. 

Leon.  But.  lady,  wherefore  have  you  braved  so  fearful  a  chance  ? 


THE   VETERAN.  43 

Gul.  Wherefore,  Zaida,  leave  us,  and  keep  good  watch. 

[Exit  ZAIDA,  2  E.  L. 

Leon.  [Aside.]  Hallo  !  we  are  to  be  alone  then. 

Gul.  Now,  come  hither,  and  be  near  me  while  we  converse. 

Leon.  [Aside.]  Eh!  oh,  Lord ! 
'     Gul.  Do  you  tear  to  approach  me  7 

1     Leon.  Fear.  [Aside.]  What  the  devil  shall  I  say  1    [Aloud.]    Fear  ; 
•and  if  I  did,  what  wonder  1     Do  we  worship  the  beauty  of  the  stars 
•the  less,  that  we  gaze  on  them  from  our  lowly  distance  ?    [Aside.] 
•Come,  that's  pretty  good  humbug  for  a  beginner. 
'     Gul.  If  my  eyes  are  to  thee   even  as  the  stars,  do  thou  approach, 
•they  will  not  beam  less  kindly  because  all  they  love  is  near  them. 
'     Leon.  [Aside.]  We  are  getting  warm.  [Aloud.]  Dear  lady,  your  slave 
«is  all  unworthy  of  the  honor.  [Reclines  near  her. 

Gul.  Now  give  ear  unto  my  words — thou  art  new  to  our  laws,  our 
customs  and  oift  natures — fresh  from  a  land,  where  friendship,  love, 
even  hate  itself,  is  measured  by  the  very  rule.  Thou  wilt  wonder  at 
the  force  and  depth  of  feelings,  only  comprehensible  to  those, 
born  and  nurtured  under  the  burning  sun  of  our  Eastern  World. 
Here,  man  lives,  loves,  conquers,  roams  at  will  over  his  native  des 
erts.  Not  so  with  woman—she,  from  her  very  birth,  is  but  a  slave 
— within,  noble  thoughts,  high  aspirations,  affections,  passions  stronger 
than  those  of  man  himself — without,  a  gilded  chain  ;  imagine  a  being 
of  this  nature,  seeing  for  the  first  time  a  form  and  face  such  as  her 
dreams  had  pictured,  (for  even  our  tyrants  cannot  command  our 
dreams,)  imagine  this,  I  say — and  then  wilt  cease  to  wonder  at  what, 
in  thine  own  cold  land,  would  be  deemed  the  mere  advances  of  a 
wanton — You  do  not  answer  1 

Leon.  [Aside.]  This  is  tougher  work  than  I  bargained  for.  What 
can  I  say.  dear  lady  1 

Gul.  What  1  We  are  alone,  are  we  not  1 

Leon.  There's  not  the  slightest  doubt  on  that  point. 

Gul.  What  is  it  then  enchahins  yo,ur  speech  1 

Leon.  [Aside.]  Oh,  its  of  no  use.  I  must  dive  into  the  Eastern  style 
at  once.  [ Aloud- \  Ah,  dear  lady,  with  thee,  and  ever  thus  by  thy  side 
how  sweet  were  every  fleeting  hour  1 

Gul.  Ah,  yes. 

Leon.  Ah  yes — to  be  sure— hem !  But  without  thee,  life  were  a 
mere  Bul-bul  upon  earth  ! 

Gul.  A  what  1 

Leon.  [Aside.]  I'm  in  for  it — here  goes!  [Aloud.]  A  mere  Bul-bul 
upon  earth.  While  in  thine  arms  leiianum  is  open  to  my  viow. 

Gul.  What  say  ye  7 

Leon.  There — together,  after  a  life  of  bliss'  would  we  taste  the 
joys  of — 

Gul.  Dost  thou  mock  me  1  Beware,  sir  Frank,  for  even  in  propor 
tion  to  my  love,  so  can  I  hate.  There's  danger  in  me  ! 

Leon.  [Aside.]  Upon  my  soul  I  believe  you  ;  Blanche  must  have  told 
me  wrong.  [ Aloud. \  If  I  offend,  dear  lady — 


44  THE   VETERAN. 

Gul.  Nay,  nay,  I  was  hasty — I  might  have  thought  thine  ignorance 
of  our  language — 

Enter  AMINEH,  hastily,  2  E.  L. 

Who  comes  1  Ha  !  where  is  Zaida  1 

Ami.  I  left  her  on  the  watch.  Christian,  there  is  not  one  moment 
to  be  lost.  Thy  life — thy  father's — and  the  life  of  him  who  is  to  me 
life,  love,  and  all  the  world — hang  on  the  decision  of  a  moment. 

Gul.  What  mean  you  1  [Music. 

Leon.  My  father — 

Ami.  Is  even  arriving  at  the  gates  of  the  city  [Distant  music.] 
lured  hither  by  the  artful  tyrant  on  pretence  of  signing  a  treaty  only 
in  his  presence.  Strong  as  his  escort  is,  he  leaves  it  too  far  off  to 
prevent  his  speedy  fate,  if  they  are  not  at  once  apprised  of  his  dan 
ger.  Would'st  save  him  7  • 

Leon.  If  not,  at  least  I'll  die  with  him.  [Going. 

Ami.  Stay!     Are  ye  mad?    That  way  you'll  meet  Mohammed. 

Gul.  And  the  Sultan— 

Ami.  Has  doomed  them  all  to  death. 

Gul.  Spite-of  the  flag  of  truce — 

Ami.  Spite  of  truth — of  all  a  monarch  should  hold  sacred. 

Gul.  Enough,  youth.  At  the  end  of  yonder  passage,  the  door  leads 
to  the  apartment  of  the  chief  of  my  guards — he  is  now  absent.  Go 
there  ;  array  thyself  in  his  garments.  Speak  not ;  by  signs  alone  re 
ply  to  all  I  say.  Come  back  hither  when  I  sound  this  gong  twice 
Leave  the  rest  to  me. 

Ami.  Ha  !  I  apprehend — 

Leon.  But  my  father — 

Ami.  Perishes  if  you  delay.  Come,  I  will  lead  thee — arm  thee  with 
my  own  hands.  [Exeunt  LEON  and  AMINEH,  R.  2  E.  GULXARE  seats 
herself  on.  the  ottoman. 

ZAIDA  enters,  preceding  MOHAMMED. 

Moli.  Girl,  leave  us. 

Gul.  Stay  ;  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  Emir  Mohammed  commands 
here  as  well  as  in  the  desert. 

Moh.  Well,  proud  lady,  be  it  as  you  will. 

Gul.  The  noble  Emir  has  come  into  my  presence  somewhat  rudely. 
What  is  his  desire  1 

Moh.  To  perform  his  duty  to  his  lord,  the  Sultan.  Would  that  de 
sire  were  more  general  among  those  around  him. 

Gul.  I  would  it  were,  for  then  his  majesty's  officers. would  be  some 
what  less  abrubpt  in  their  manner  of  approaching  his  chief  Sultana. 
[She  motions  to  ZAIDA  to  retire.     Exit  ZAIDA. 

Moh.  The  business  I  have  come  upon  requires  haste  ;  and  that  must 
plead  my  pardon,  lady,  if  I  for  an  instant  forget  your  rank.  You  are 
aware  that  two  Christian  chiefs  arrived  here  lately,  on  a  mission  to 
the  Sultan. 

<2ul.  So  I  had  heard. 

Jfoh.  One  of  them,  it  is  feared,  has  escaped. 


. 

THE    VETERAN,  4O 

* 

Gul.  Escaped  !     How  came  he  to  be  a  prisoner  I 

Moh.  That* is  not  for  us  to  decide.  It  pleased  our  lord  and  master, 
the  Sultan,  so  to  regard  them. 

Gul.  The  Sultan  is  the  Light  of  Goodness.     Well ! 

Moh.  It  is  known,  and  to  my  shame  I  speak  it.  that  my  sister 
Amineli  hath  for  one  of  them,  a  love  such  as  should  only  bo  cherish 
ed  in  the  breast  of  a  true  Arabian  maid  for  a  son  of  Islam.  She  has 
been  seen  near  this  part  of  the  palace  as  if  in  search  for  some  one — 
this  has  aroused  suspicions  which 

Gul.  Which  point  towards  me.     It  is  just,  0  Emir. 

Moh.  You  confess. 

Gul.  The  Christian  was  here. 

Moh.  Aye  !  and  now. 

Gul.  Is  gone. 

Moh.  Gone  !     By  whose  connivance  1 

Gul.  Mine! 

Moh.  Thine  1 

Gul.  He  came  to  me,  told  me  his  life  was  sought  by  enemies — im 
plored  my  aid  to  gain  him  egress  from  the  palace — I  accorded  it — he 
fled. 

Moh.  The  Sultan. 

Gul  If  I  had  known — his  majesty  had  willed  his  death — think 
you  I  would  have  let  him  forth  1  The  fault  was' innocently  commit 
ted.  Now  to  repair  it. 

Moh.  How  1 

Gul.  One  blow  upon  this  gong  will  summon  Haroun,  the  Lieuten 
ant  of  my  Guard. 

Moh.  Nay,  he  is  somewhat,  too,  like  thyself,  too  merciful,  fair 
Sultana.  Give  two  blows,  and  summon  the  Albanian  Chief,  dumb 
Zohrab. 

Gul.  Be  it,  0  Emir,  even  as  you  direct.          [Strikes  gong  twice. 

Moh.  Aye,  aye,  the  dumb  Captain  for  me.  His  work  is  done 
quickly  and  silently.  That  loss  of  tongue  is  an  advantage  that,  By 
Allah  !  these  women  never  seem  sufficiently  to  prize. 

[Piano  music. 

Enter  LEON,  dressed  as  ZOHRAB,  2  E.  R.  H. 

Gul.  Now,  Zohrab,  give  ear  and  heart  unto  my  words.      [He  bows. 

Moh.  And  make  them  few,  good  lady,  for  time  flies,  and  the 
hated  Christian  may  elude  us. 

Gul.  One  of  the  Frankish  Chiefs  has  escaped.  Thou ,  knowest 
what  I  would  have  1  [Music.  LEON  intimates  recapturing  him. 

Moh.  Good,  good  !     He's  quick,  and  understands  at  once. 

Gul.  Thou  knowest  that  horses  for  the  guard  on  duty  are  always 
in  the  court-yard.  Thine  own.  the  gray,  by  far  the  fleetest,  all  ready 
saddled. 

Moh.  Why;  surely,  he  knows  all  this,  and  wherefore  lose  time  in 
repetition.  Away,  good  Zohrab — the  Christian  has  escaped.  Thou 
knowest  all  thy  chief  would  have,  go  do  thy  duty,  confront  thine  en- 


46  THE  VETERAN. 

emy,  and    send  his   soul  to  bliss.     Take  men  enough— ride,  ride,  fot 
thy  life,  good  Zohrab.     Swear  tliou  wilt  strike  and  spare  not. 

[ZOMRAB  does  so  in  dumb  show. 

Ha,  ha  :  brave  chief,  that's  better  than  poor  words — 'tis  action  :  away 
good  Zohrab— ride— ride :  now,  Christian,  hold  thine  own.   - 

Urges  LEON  off.  AMINEII  and  Quiz  ARE  forming  a  tableaux  at  bade  as 
curtain  descends. 


SCENE  III.— Grand  Hall  of  a  Thousand  Lights.  A  Superb  Apart 
ment  in  the  SULTAN'S  Palace.  Guards,  Pipe-Bearers,  Sword' 
bearers,  Fan-bearers  $c.,  discovered.  The  SULTAN  is  on  his  Nits' 
mud,  surrounded  by  his  Court.  GULNAUE  is  also  seen,  vailed,  near 
the  SULTAN.  OFL-AN-AGAN  is  on  his  right,  MOHAMMED  is  on  his 
left.  The  lights  ivhich  are  innumerable,  should  be  so  contrived  as 
to  disappear  at  a  certain  time,  leaving  the  stage  in  total  dark- 


Sul.  Has  the  great  chief  of  the  Fctinghees  yet  entered  the  gates  of 
Myra  1 

Oglou.  Light  of  the  world,  thy   slave  even  now  beheld  him.     He 
awaits  permission  to  prostrate  himself  before  you. 
Sul.  What  escort  docs  he.  bring  1 

Oglou.  So  please  your  majesty,  a  band  of  those  unsainted  (lemons 
called  Zouaves,  the  terror  and  the  scourge  of  all  true  believers.  These, 
however,  he  has,  to  prove  his  confidence  in  thy  royal  word,  left  some 
miles  hence. 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  The  more  fool  he. 

Sul.  'Tis  well.  Go — admit  him  to  the  presence.  [Exit  OGLOU,  L.IT. 
E.]  Come  hither  Mohammed.  [SULTAN  descends  from  the  Nusmud 
followed  by  MOHAMMED.] 

Sul.  I  would  have  counsel  with  thee  apart  j  thou  knowest  the  mis- 
«-sion  of  this  chief? 
''     Moh.  I  do. 

"     Sul.  Were  I  to  listen  to  him  with  a  favoring  ear,  I  should  become 
"the  sworn  foe  of  thee  and  all  thy  tribe. 
*•     Moh.  'Tis  true,  oh,  Sultan. 

11  Sul.  I  ask  not  couusel  on  this  question  of  my  Vizier,  for,  though 
"true  and  staunch,  he  has  ever  favored  these  Christian  doga.  Now, 
<either  I  enter  into  alliance  with  this  chief,  give  up  my  prisoners — the 
"younger  of  whom  is  dearer  to  my  eyes  even  than  the  loveliest  of  the 
'harem,  and  become  a  foe  to  Islam,  or  by  the  sacrifice  of  every  Chris- 
"tia?i  now  within  these  walls — save  her,  at  once  commence  a  slaughter 
"which  shall  only  cease  when  the  last  detested  Frank  is  driven  from 
"the  land  he  has  polluted  with  his  presence  !  Give  me  thy  counsel ! 
"  Moh.  It  is  not  for  my  dullness  to  dictate  to  the  sovereign  of  the 
"world,  but  were  I  to  decide  the  question.  I  would  send  back  these 
"Christians  unharmed.  Then  raise  the  standard  of  the  Prophet,  and 
"give  them  fair  and  open,  battle. 
4  Sul.  Umph  !  but  thou  would'st  destroy  them,  would'st  thou  not  1 


THE    VETERAN'.  47 

»    Moh.  By  the  great  name  of  Allah,  would  I ! 

'<    Sal.  Enough  ;  leave   the  manner  of  their  destruction  then  to  me. 
Hark  ye.  [Whispers. 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  Now  my  emoluments  as  Grand  Vizier  are  pretty  high, 
but'Fd  give  a  month  of  them  to  know  what  devilment  these  two  are 
concocting. 

Moh.  Be  it  in  all  things,  even  as  your  Majesty  shall  command — yet 
would  I  spare  the  women. 

Sal.  Spare!     Chief,  remember  thou — 

Mch.  And  king,  remember  thou — thy  hand  doth  grasp  the  scimitar 
as  well  as  scepter,  and  if  the  monarch's  sword  be  raised  to  strike, 
when  men  oppose,  so  let  the  warriors  shield  extend  to  save  when 
women  lift  their  feeble  cry  for  mercy. 
Sul.  [To  MOHAMMED.]  No  further  words,  so  I  will  have  it. 
Moh.  Then  it  is  only  mine  to  hear  and  to  obey. 

«  Sul.  Our  trusty  Vizier  will  be  at  our  side  to  counsel  us  during  the 
"Coming  conference. 

«     Ofl.   Aye,  your  majesty,  truly,  will  he.    One  thing  even  now,  I 
"would  venture  to  advise.' 
«     Sul.  Name  it. 

"  Ofl.  It  is  ever  the  custom  to  receive  the  Envoy  of  a  great  nation 
"with  due  ceremony  and  in  all  honor. 

«  Sul.  And  do  we  not  intend  it  1  shall  we  not  receive  him  even  here 
"in  our  especial  hall  of  audience  1  Ere  one  word  of  treaty  is  exchanged, 
"shall  he  not  be  royally  entertained  1  Aye,  and,  by  Allah  !  his  recep 
tion  shall  be*such  that  the  nations  of  Europe  shall  lift  up  their  hands 
'and  long  shall  be  remembered  the  Sultan's  reply  to  the  man  who 
'proposed  to  him  alliance  with  the  Christians! 

Music— Enter  OQLOU,  L.  u.  E.,  with  guards  and  COLONEL. 

Sul.  It  gives  us  satisfaction  to  welcome  the  great  chief  of  the 
Frankish  soldiers.  We  had  received  thy  envoys,  O  chief,  with  all 
honor,  but  the  points  of  treaty  were  of  importance  too  vast  to  be 
ratified  save  with  thyself-^-ia  person. 

Col.  I  thank  your  majesty  for  your  kind  rec*e.ption  of  my  officers,  al 
though  I  must  frankly  tell  you,  I  think  the  matter  was  clear  and  simple 
enough  to  settle  with  them,  without  bringing  me  much  further  from 
my  command  than  was  agreeable.  However,  my  august  master,  the 
Emperor  wishes  for  peace  and  friendship  with  your  nation — you 
wanted  to  see  me,  and,  as  I  always  study  every  one's  convenience, 
here  I  am. 

Sul.  And  you  have,  in  noble  trust  of  our  word,  left  your  escort 
some  milrs  away  7 

Col.  Why — yes  the — that  don't  trouble  me  much.  I've  no  fear 
that  any  crowned  king  would  dare  offer  insult  to  the  Representative 
of  France,  let  him  be  as  defenseless  as  he  might. 

Ofl.  Faith,  that's  a  fine  ould  Trojan,  aud  does'nt  waste  time  in. 
mealy  epithets. 

Sul.  One  of  your  officers  is  here  to  greet  you. 


48  THE    VETERAN. 

Enter  EUGENE,  R.  1  K. 

Eug.  [Aside.]  The  Colonel  here ! 

Col.  Ah.  Eugene,  my  boy,  here  I  am  you  see.  His  majesty  would 
only  confer  with  an  officer  of  a  certain  rank,  so  I've  made  a  quick 
march  of  it  to  relieve  you.  But  where's  Leon  7 

Eug.  [Aside.]  Where,  indeed?  [Aloud.]  Oh,  sir,  he'll  be  here  short 
ly,  I've  no  doubt. 

Col.  I  dare  say  he's  poking  his  nose  somewhere  where  he  has  no 
business.  Ilave  you  seen  these  lady  prisoners  1 

Eug.  I  have — but  for  Heaven's  sake,  sir,  speak  low. 

[They  retire  up  a  little 

Sul.  They  confer  apart.  The  Christian  dogs  must  be  taught  more 
respect  for  our  presence ! 

Ofl.  May  it  please  your  majesty,  it  were  better  not  to  interrupt 
them.  The  young  Kaffir  is  doubtless  instructing  the  old  Kaffir  how 
to  address  the  monarch  of  the  world  with  due  respect. 

Col.  Whew  !  the  devil !  here  ?    Incredible  ! 

Eug.  But  true,  I  assure  you. 

Col.  But  Leon  ? 

Eug.  Has  escaped,  to  bring  on  the  Zouaves.  There's  treachery  in 
these  Arab  scoundrels,  depend  upon  it. 

Sul.  [Sets.  To  OFL-AN-AGAN.]  Be  it,  O  Vizier,  even  as  you  advise. 
Oglou.  summon  the  Christian  women  to  the  foot  of  our  Nusmud. 

Oglou.  On  my  head  be  it.  [Exit,  R.  1  E. 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  By  the  Lord,  it's  on  all  our  heads  it  will  be  if  I  don't 
keep  a  mighty  sharp  lookout. 

Sul.  Chief,  you  have  sent  to  me  regarding  certain  prisoners.  It  is 
not  the  custom  for  the  kings  of  Myra  to  treat  in  person  with  the  in 
ferior  officers  of  any  power  ;  therefore,  we  deemed  it  fit  to  deny  the 
existence  of  such  prisoners.  But  to  you,  we  freely  admit  that  two 
Frankish  ladies  are  even  now  in  our  palace. 

Col.  [Aside]  Thank  ye  for  nothing. 

Sid.  Dost  thou  hear  and  comprehend  our  word,  0  chief 

Col.  Oh,  I  comprehend  your  majesty.  You  don't  tell  the  truth  to 
anybody  under  a  colonel, 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  That's,  a  nate  dig  in  the  ribs  for  the  eastern  potentate. 

Eug.  [To  COLONEL,  aside.]  Pray,  sir,  be  cautious. 

Sul.  [To  MOHAMMED.]  Nay,  let  them  come.  The  greater  the  joy  of 
these  foes  to  our  Prophet,  the  more  deeply  shall  they  feel  my  ven 
geance  when  it  shall  fall  upon  them  ? 

Col.  [Reflectively.]  Mrs.  MacShake  again,  eh  1  Well,  of  course  I 
shall  be  deuced  glad  to  see  her  ;  but  why  the  devil  couldn't  she  get 
Bhipwreckod  further  away  from  me?  She'll  have  me  yet. 

Eug.  They  are  here,  sir. 

Enter  OGLOU.  with  MRS.  MACSHAKE  and  BLANCHE,  R.  1  E. 

Blanche.  Oh,  my  dear,  dear  Colonel ! 
Mrs.  M.  Oh,  my  dear,  dear  friend  ! 

Col.  [Kisses  her.]  There.  She's  taken  a  mean  advantage  of  my 
position. 


"  THE    VETERAN.  49 

Mrs.  M.  What  a  meeting !  and  what  a  situation  to  find  me  in ! 

Col.  Yes,  you're  rather —  [Looking  at  her  cos'iime.]  Ha!  ha!  ha! 
I  beg  your  pardon,  but  really — 

Sul.  [To  OFL-AX-AGAN.]  It  seems  they  are  relations,  or  dear  friends. 

Oft.  Great  Sultan,  it  doth  not  necessarily  follow.  In  their  barbar 
ous  part  of  the  world,  kissing  and  hugging  is  often  indulged  in  by 
those  who  are  neither  one  nor  the  other. 

SuL  Will  it  please  ypu,  0  chief,  to  recline  1  Let  our  guests  be  en 
tertained  as  befits  our  kindly  wishes  towards  them. 

[Music — piano.     MRS.  MAcSiiAKE,  COLONEL,  EUGENE,  and  BLANCHE 
are  seated  on  ottomans.     Sherbet  and  pipes  are  brought. 

Mrs.  M.  Tucked  up  again  !  Did  you  ever  see  such  a  set  of  barbar 
ians,  my  dear  Colonel?  Isn't  this  the  most  horrible  fashion  of  re 
posing'? 

Col.  Tastes  differ.  /  think  it's  pretty  comfortable.  But  what  does 
that  music  mean  ? 

Blanche.  Oh  !  that's  the  approach  of  the  Nautch  girls. 

Col.  The  what? 

Mrs.  M.  Yes,  the  Nautch  girls,  or  the  naughty  girls,  or  whatever 
they  call  them.  One  of  their  horrible  modes  of  amusement. 

[Dance  of  the  Nautch  girls,  during  which  a  communication  is  made 
to  MOHAMMED,  who  speaks  to  SULTAN. 

Mrs.  M.  Did  you  ever  see  anything  so  horribly  indelicate  ? 

Col.  Well,  I  don't  know— I  rather  like  it. 

Mrs.  M.  Good  gracious  ! 

Sul.  Ha !  the  other  has  escaped !  then  we  must  be  speedy  !  [Sends 
MOHAMMED  ojf,  u.  E.  L.]  Well,  Chieftain,  what  think  you  of  our 
mode  of  entertaining  those  we  look  upon  as  friends  1 

Col  Faith,  your  majesty,  it's  all  pleasant  enough.  But  I  would 
now  respectfully  suggest  that  we  preceed  to  the  business  of  my  mis 
sion. 

Sul.  In  good  time.  But  having  seen  our  treatment  of  those  we 
look  upon  as  friends — the  Christian  shall  now  behold  our  mode  of 
dealing  with  a  traitress.  Gulnare,  stand  forth  !  [GULNARE  rises.} 
Speak,  0  false  one  !  Didst  thou  aid  the  Frankish  officer's  escape  7 

Gul.  I  did. 

Sul.  And  dost  thou  not  tremble  at  the  thought  of  our  revenge  7 

Gul.  I  do  not  tremble  ! 

SuL  By  the  right  hand  of  Allah  !  thou  shalt  die  within  the  hour  ! 

Gul.  I  am  ready  to  die.  It  is  a  better  fate  than  living  as  thy 
slave ! 

Sul.  Seize  and  bind  her  !  [She  is  seized. 

Col.  Hold  !  let  me  entreat  for  the  poor  lady. 

Sul.  Christian  !     Didst  thou  not  hear  my  oath  1 

Col.  It  was  a  bad  oath.     Break  it,  before  it  is  recorded. 

Sul.  Silence  !  Concern  not  thyself  for  her  fate.  Think  rather  of 
thine  own. 


50 


THE    VETERAN. 


Col.  That  does  not  give  me  the  slightest  concern.  You  would  no' 
dare — 

Sul  Dare! 

Oft.  By  the  soul  of  King  Brian,  things  are  coming  to  a  head  ! 

Sul  Now  mark  me.  Thou  hast  here  with  thee,  thy  officer,  and 
two  women,  who,  by  thy  manner  of  greeting  them,  we  presume  have 
belonged  thy  harem. 

Col.  What ! 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  upon  my  word ! 

Col.  Damn  his  impudence  ! 

Sul.  You  are  at  my  mercy,  for  the  true  servant  of  our  great  Prophet, 
holds  no  treaty,  makes  no  terms,  regards  no  truce  with  the  detested 
Gaiour ! 

Col.  The  devil  he  don't !  what  becomes  then  of  all  the  friendship 
you  were  protesting  just  now. 

Sul.  It  was  our  will  that  you  should  see  the  splendor,  and  taste  the 
joys  that  surround  the  true  believer,  that  ye  might  the  more  deeply 
feel  his  wrath  upon  th«  Christian  invader  ! 

He-enter  MOHAMMED,  u.  E.  L. 

Blanche.  Great  heavens  !  they  will  murder  him. 

Col.  Silence,  dear  child !   leave  me  to  deal  with  this  paltry  tyrant. 

Sul.  Now  give  heedful  ear  unto  my  words.  Mohammed  al  Raschid, 
Emir  of  the  Abdalis,  and  our  most  trusted  friend,  hath  from  time  to 
time,  and  in  disguise,  visited  thy  camp  and  outposts. 

Moh.  [Coming  down  c.]  Dost  thou  recognize  me,  Christian  ? 

Col.  Ah,  ha !  my  friend  the  coffee  merchant.  So  you  risked  being 
hanged  as  a  spy,  did  you  1 

Moh.  I  did— but  it  hath  not  yet  pleased  Allah  that  I  should  die  in 
defense  of  his  name. 

Col.  Oh.  don't  grieve  on  that  point ;  there's  every  probability  of 
your  swinging  yet. 

Sul.  [Rises  and  comes  doivn  c.]  There  .is  one  place  in  thy  defenses, 
called  the  round  fort.  If  you  would  gave  your  life,  tell  me  what  is 
the  number  of  its  defenders  ? 

Col.  [After  a  pause.]  Were  you  in  my  camp,  and  dared  to  put  such 
a  question,  I  should  simply  have  you  tied  to  the  nearest  tree  and 
lash  you  like  a  hound.  But  as  I  stand  here,  surrounded  by  your 
cut-throats,  I  can  only  reply  by  telling  you  to  your  head,  that,  Sultan 
though  you  be,  you're  an  impudent  old  scoundrel ! 

Oft.  Oh,  murder ! 

Moh.  Cut  the  Kaffir  dog  to  pieces  !  [  General  movement. 

Sul.  Hold !  be  not  hasty,  good  Mohammed — all  in  good  time. 

A  MESSENGER  comes  on  u.  E.  L.,  with  a  communication. 

Col.  Look  on  me,  Sultan  of  Myra  ;  here  do  we  face  each  other,  two 
aged  men.  Your  hair  has  grown  white  in  luxury,  tyranny,  impres 
sion,  and  in  the  lust  for  human  life  !  Mine  is  silvered  in  the  service 
of  my  country  ;  that  might  have  procured  enough  of  respect  to  save 
me  from  such  a  proposal.  But  let  your  slaves  come  on !  you  could 


THE    VJKTERAN,  61 

not  feel  how  a  French  officer  should  answer — you  shall  at  least  see 
how  a  Christian  gentleman  can  die  ! 

Moh.     Dost  thou  remember  the  Emir's  oath  1 

.  Col.  I  do,  my  noble  spy — You  swore  to  have  my  head — [draws.] 
Now  come  and  take  it. 

Enter  AMINEH,  u.  E.  L. 

Moh.  Am  inch  !  this  is  no  place  for  thee,  girl !  away. 

Ami.  Pardon  me  my  brother.  The  daughter  of  the  desert  should 
be  able  to  witness  the  destruction  of  the  Frank  without  trembling. 

Moh.  Ah  !  brave  girl.     Is  the  true  spirit  aroused  in  thee  at  last  1 

Eug.  [To COLONEL.]  The  knowledge  he  desires  can  be  of  no  service 
to  them.  Think  of  the  value  of  your  life,  dear  sir. 

Col.  If  the  knowledge  of  one  gun,  one  soldier,  one  dog  more  in  our 
camp  would  save  my  life  he  should  not  have  it. 

Sul.  Should  he  not  1  Know  then  that  thy  son  is  again  in  my  hands. 
He  has  been  re-taken. 

Blanche.     Leon  !  [Sinks  on  EUGENE'S  shoulder.] 

Col.  My  son — 

Sid.  Is  now  on  his  knees  in  the  court-yard  of  this  palace.  The 
head's  man  stands  beside  him — his  good  blade  is  lifted.  If  I  draw 
this  dagger  from  my  girdle,  his  head  will  roll  in  the  dust,  and  shall 
be  spurned  by  the  foot  of  every  slave  within  the  palace.  Give  me  the 
information  I  demand,  and  ye  shall  both  be  free.  [Sits  on  Nitsmud. 

Col.  My  boy — my  boy — the  pride  and  hope  of  my  old  age — cut 
down  in  the  first  fresh  dawn  of  fame — and  /  his  father,  am  to  give 
the  word  that— Villains  !  at  least  bring  him  here,  let  me  hold  him  in 
my  arms,  and  we  will  die  together  1 

Sul.  I  have  said — 

Col.  Then  strike  !  and  be  our  blood  a  legacy  of  vengeance  to  our 
country. 

Sul.  Madman!  Think — your  life — your  son's — those  women — all 
depend  upon  your  word.  I  say  your  son  is  there,  and — 

Oft.  And  I  say  you  lie  !  you  theiving  ould  son  of  Satan — he  is  not 
there.  [Distant  trumpets  $c.]  Dy'e  hear  that  ? 

Col.  The  trumpets  of  the  Zouaves ! 

Qfl.  There's  where  he  is!  [Tearing  off  his  turban  and  jewels.]  There 
—and  there — take  back  the  price  of  your  precious  service  !  I've  had 
enough  of  ye  all !  Give  me  your  hand,  General — I'm  your  country 
man — all  Europeans  are  countrymen  in  this  blackguard  hole !  I  am 
a  soidier,  sir,  give  me  the  honor  of  standing  or  falling  by  your  side 

OGLOU  rushes  on  u.  E.  L. 

Oglou.  The  Zouaves  approach— there  is  artillery  with  them  ! 

[Firing  heard. 

Col.  Hurrah !    There  are  my  children  beginning  to  talk ! 
Mrs.  M.  The  wretches !  I  could  almost  handle  a  gun  myself ! 
Blanche.  So  could  I,  only  I'm  sure  I  should  hold  it  wrong  end 
foremost. 
Sul.  [To  OFL-AN-AGAN.]  Traitor!     Had  I  listened  to  Mohammed,  I 


52  THE    VETERAN. 

had  suspected  ye  long  ago— but  my  revenge  shall  not  be  balked  !  Tc 
ycur  guns — let  them  be  leveled  at  everv  Christian  here  !  When  I 
give  the  word — fire — and  when  ye  fire — 

AMINEH  who  has  drawn  near  the  SULTAN,  suddenly  unsheathes  his  dagger 
and  holds  it  to  his  throat. 

Ami.   When  they  fire— I  strike !  [  Tableaux 

Sul.  Ha !  heed  her  not— she  dare  not — she  is  but  mad ! 
Ami.  Am  I  so "?      Beware,  then,  the  fury  of  madness  !     Touch  one 
trigger,  and  the  steel  is  in  his  throat ! 

During  all  this  the  storm  of  battle  is  approaching   nearer   and 
nearer. 

Col.  Brave  girl !    Be  firm — move 'not — it's  a  beautiful   attitude — 
it's  better  than  the  Nautch  girls  ! 
Ofl.  Why  don't  ye  fire,  ye  blackguards  1 
Moh.  Fire  not — the  life  of  the  Sultan  before  all. 

OGLOU  rushes  on. 

Oglou.  The  Zouaves  have  overthrown  all  opposition,  and  the 
artillery's  shot  and  shell  are  directed  on  the  palace  itself.  The  Zou 
aves  are  led  by  one  in  the  dress  of  an  officer  of  the  Sultana's  guard. 

Ofl.  [  To  COLONEL.]  That's  your  son ! 

Oglou.  He  fights  like  a  very  demon. 

Col.  Of  course  he  does,  it  runs  in  the  family.  Damme  he  wants 
his  father.  [A  very  loud  report. 

Ofl.  Hoorooh !  that's  a  shell !  St.  Patrick  forever,  and  to  the  devil 
with  the  odds !  now  look  out. 

[A  terriffic  explosion — All  the  lights  out— The  walls  are  Uown  in, 
and  fall  in  huge  fragments,  revealing  the  city  on  fire,  with 
the  conflict  going  on — The  Zouaves  are  seen  mounted  on  the  various 
breaches  made  in  the  wall — LEON,  with  the  tri-color  in  his  hand 
crowns  the  picture — AMINEH  who  has  become  gr-adually  faint  is 
caught  by  EUGENE — BLANCHE  runs  to  LEON — The  COLONEL  knocks 
down  the  fellow  holding  MRS.  MAcSnAKE,  and  embraces  her — The 
band  headed  by  the  tambour-major,  are  seen  playing  "  Partant 
pour  la  Syrie." 


E1TD   OP   ACT   IV. 


THE   VETERAN.  53 


ACT      V. 

SCENE  I.— Interior  of  a  Tent  on  the  outskirts  of  Myra. 
EUGENE  discovered,  also  OGLOU,  in  charge  of  two  ZOUAVES. 

Eug.  If  you  will  tell  me  what  lias  become  of  her,  I  will  obtain 
your  freedom  from  the  Colonel. 

Oglou.  What  is  the  sister  of  the  Emir  Mohammed  unto  thee  ? 

Eug.  That  matters  not.  You  know  where  she  is.  You  shall  be 
well  rewarded,  only  speak. 

Oglou.  I  will  not  speak. 

Eug.  Villain !     Know  you  that  I  could  have  you  hanged  1 

Oglou.  Aye,  thou  canst  kill  me,  but  thou  canst  not  make  me 
speak ! 

Eug.  [To  ZOUAVES.]  Take  him  back,  and  keep  close  watch  upon 
him. 

Ogliu.  It  is  well.  Proud  Christian!  which  of  us  appears  most 
like  a  conqueror,  now  ?  [Exit  OGLOU  and  ZOUAVES,  u.  E.  L. 

Eug.  Strange,  stubborn  race  !  If  they  cannot  conquer  us  in  fight, 
they  can,  at  least,  equal  us  in.endurance. 

Enter  COLONEL  DELMAR,  2  E.  L. 

The  Colonel  seems  very  contemplative.     Something  unusual  must 
have  happened.     I  never  saw  him  so,  on  the  eve  of  a  fight. 

Col.  Now,  Mrs.  McShake,  I  trust  you're  satisfied.  At  least,  I've 
done  it. 

Eug.  Has  the  Sultan  been  made  aware  of  your  conditions,  sir  ? 

Col.  [To  himself.]  I've  absolutely  sent  a  written  proposal. 

Eug.  Ah  !  then,  of  course,  we  shall  soon  have  an  answer  from  him 
He  has  been. 

Col.  [To  himself]  Fishing  for  it — for  some  time. 

Eug.  Eh  !  beg  pardon,     I  say  he  has  been  veiy  ill  for  the  last  two 
days.     The  surgeons  say,  sickening  for  small  pox. 
4p  "Col.  [To  himself.]  And  now  she's  got  it ! 

Eug.  She!     Who  1 

Col  Eh!     Oh,  Eugene,  is  that  you?  talking  to  yourself? 

Eug.  Me  I  sir.     No  !     I  was  asking  about  the  Sultan. 

Col.  Oh  !  The  Sultan — The  Sultan  has  agreed  to  pay  a  good  round 
ransom,  and  aid  us  against  the  frontier  tribes.  We've  given  that 
aged  potentate  rather  a  wholesome  lesson. 

Eug.  And — and — the  Emir  Mohammed,  sir — 

Col.  Well,  he's  a  fine  fellow  for  an  Arab — and  though  by  his  own 
conftssfon  a  spy — I  shall  let  him  go  this  time. 

Eug.  Oh,  a  thousand  thanks,  dear  sir  ! 

Col  Thanks!— why,  what's  he  to  you  ? 


64  THE   VETERAN. 

Eug.  Nothing — only  I  agree  with  you,  sir,  that  he  is  a  fine  fellow  in 
some  respects,  and  'twould  have  been  a  pity  to  hang  him. 

Col.  True— so  we'll  give  him  his  liberty— on  certain  conditions,  of 
course.  Liberty's  a  fine  thing — eh,  Eugene  1 

Eug.  Decidedly,  sir. 

Cut.  A  man  should'nt  part  with  it  hastily  or  without  consideration, 
ch,  Eugene  ? 

Eug.  Certainly  not,  sir.  [Aside.]  What  the  deuce  is  the  matter  with 
him  1  [Exit  EUGENE. 

Col.  No — I'll  not  shrink — after  all  there  are  many  good  reasons  for 
the  step — besides  she  had  set  her  mind  on  it,  and  when  a  woman  once 
sets  her  mind  on  a  thing — here  come  Blanche  and  Leon — quite  loving 
too,  I  declare.  His  arm  around  her  waist.  Well,  considering  that  he 
don't  wish  to  marry  her.  and  she's  in  love  with  Eugene — that's  pretty 
familiar.  Ah,  I  see  it  all  now — these  good  children  are  determined  to 
sacrifice  themselves  for  me.  To  let  the.  dearest  wishes  of  their  kind 
hearts  succumb  to  my  desires.  No,  no,  they  shall  not  repent  it. 

Enter  LEON  and  BLANCHE,  R.  2  E. 

Leon.  Any  news  yet,  sir,  of  our  kind  friend,  the  Grand  Vizier  1 

Blanche,  News,  oh,  bless  you,  yes — I  heard  of  him,  when  the  melee 
was  quite  over,  where  do  you  think  he  was  found  ? 

Leon.  Retired  upon  his  laurels  to  his  own  house  1 

Blanche.  Not  a  bit  of  it.  Retired  to  a  large  store  room,  from  which 
he  was  distributing  what  he  called  whiskey  punch  to  our  soldiers. 

Col.  The  devil  he  was. 

Blanche.  [Crossess  c.]  Oh,  yes,  I'm  sure  it  must  be  something  very 
good  for  them — poor  fellows.  It  put  them  in  such  spirits  you'd  be  sur 
prised. 

Col.  No  I  should'nt. 

Blanche.  Why,  they  laughed,  and  sang,  and  capered,  and  were  so 
fatigued  with  their  happiness,  that  some  of  them  had  to  lie  down  to 
rest  themselves. 

Col  I've  not  the  slightest  doubt  of  it.  [Calls.]  Here  Sergeant- 
Eugene — Corporal — some  of  ye! 

Enttr  EUGENE,  R.  2  E. 

Oh,  Eugene!  Run  immediately  to  his  Hibernian  highness,  the  gra^ 
Vizier,  and  respectfully  intimate  to  him  that  he's  making  my  sol 
diers  drunk  !  [Exit  EUGENE  R.  2  E. 

Blanche.  Surely  there's  no  harm  in  this  whiskey  punch  ? 

Col.  Is'nt  there,  my  dear  1  Excuse  me,  I  know  it  by  experience — 
for,  as  I  always  study  every  one's  convenience,  I  tried  it  once,  to 
please  an  Irish  friend.  The  boldness  of  brandy  proclaims  itself— and 
there's  a  noble  frankness  and  candor  about  champagne.  Claret,  too, 
has  the  gentlemanly  consideration  to  let  you  knew  wh^en  you've  had 
enough.  But  whiskey  is  a  coaxing,  insiduous,  wheedling,  seducing 
scoundrel,  that  gives  no  warning — and  you  are  what  is  technically 
termed  floored— before  you  think  you're  staggered! 


THE    VETERAN.  65 

Leon.  There's  real  pleasure  in  vanquishing  an  enomy  like  that,  I 
must  some  day  meet  whisky  punch  face  to  face. 

Col.  Well,  when  you  do,  look  out,  that's  all.  Oh,  by  the  by,  Leon, 
and  you  too,  Blanche,  I've  something  to  tell  you  ;  but  first,  I  want  to 
ask  a  question  or  two,  which  no  one  can  answer  so  well  as  you, 
Blanch^.  Now,  my  dear,  candidly,  and  without  reserve,  quite  confi- 
dentia'ly,  you  know,  what  do  you  think  of  Mrs.  MacShake  1 

JOanche.  Me,  sir  1  I,  well  I— 

Col.  You  hesitate. 

Blanche.  Why.  yes,  the  question  is  eo  very  peculiar,  and  so  very 
eudilfii  that  I'm — 

Lion.  She's  what  you  technically  term  "staggered,''  sir. 

Col.  You  mind  your  own  business,  sir.     Well,  my  dear  ? 

Blanche.  Well,  I  think  she's  a  kind,  honest  hearted  woman. 

Col.  Aye.  just  the  sort  of  person  to  make  a  good  wife,  eh,  my  dear  ? 

Blanche.  Urn — well — perhaps — 

Col.  Perhaps? 

Blanche.  If  she  had  a  very  obedient  husband — 

Col.  [Aside.]  Oh,  the  devil !  I  have  done  it,  with  a  vengeance.  I 
can't  tell  them  now.  The  heriditary  courage  of  the  Delmars  has  de 
scended  from  the  heart  to  the  boots.  • 

Blanche.  But,  dear  Colonel,  may  I  ask  why  — 

Enter  OFL-AX-AGAN,  R.  8  E. 

Ofl.  Oh,  my  dear  sir,  I  beg  you  a  thousand  pardons.  I  never  had 
the  least  idea  I  was  interfering  with  duty  when  I  treated  the  boys  to 
a  taste  of  the  liquor  of  life.  It's  lucky  we  stopped  in  time.  As  it  is, 
there's  no  great  harm  done.  There's  half-a-dozen  of  'em  with  a  thri- 
fle  of  spiral  movement  in  the  walk  ;  but  the  number  absolutely  pros 
trate,  don't  amount  to  more  than  three. 

Col.  [Aside.]  How  the  devil  shall  I  keep  this  fellow  out  of  mis 
chief?  [Aloud.]  My  good  friend,  to  you  and  that  brave  Arab  girl  we 
chiefly  owe  oar  safety.  Now,  it  would  give  us  all  much  pleasure  to 
learn — in  fact,  to  study  everybody's  convenience,  and  come  to  the 
point  at  once.  We  want  to  know  who  you  really  are. 

Ofl.  [To  COLONEL]  Be  the  powers.  Colonel  dear,  I've  been  so  long 
in  this  pagan  pig-sty  of  a  place,  that  I  hardly  remember.  But  I'll 
go  back  a  few  years,  and  tell  ye  what  I  can  scrape  up.  I  suppose, 
when  I  say  I'm  an  Irishman  by  birth,  you  won't  doubt  me1? 

Col.  Not  in  the  least.  You  proved  that  satisfactorily  on  my  sold 
iers  just  now.  But  proceed. 

Ofl.  Motives,  which — which  are  of  no  consequence,  induced  me, 
many  years  ago,  to  leave  Ireland  for  the  east ;  so  I  started,  one  flue 
day.  for  Egypt,  in  the  good  ship  Hereford. 

Blanche.  The  Hereford  1     Good  gracious,  how  singular! 

CoL  and  Leon.  Eh  !  what's  the  matter  ? 

Blanche.  Oh,  nothing  ;  I  merely — had  heard  the  name  before.  Pray, 
go  on,  sir. 

Ofl.  Well,  after  all,  the  story's  a  short  one.  I  struck  up  a  kind  of 
a  friendship  with  a  countryman,  one  of  the  passengers  on  board.  Ah  ! 


&6  THE    VETERAN. 

there  was  a  divil,  if  yc  like.  Talk  about  my  drinking!  By  the  blood 
of  the  Kinahans,  ye  Should  have  seen  him.  Well,  the  ship  was 
wrecked  (and,  not  very  far  from  the  spot  where  you  stand,  miss,  was 
stranded),  and  every  mother's  son  of  us,  barrin'  meself,  was  drowned. 
I  was  picked  up  next  morning,  all  but  dead,  by  some  of  the  Sultan's 
people  ;  and,  being  a  pretty  strong  boy  in  those  days,  as  soon  as  I 
could  stand,  they  made  me  a  full  private  in  the  guard.  A  few  hints  I 
gave  them  about  handling  their  guns  made  them  look  upon  me  as  a 
sort  of  a  prodigy,  and  unlike  cleverer  folks,  they  not  only  gave  ad 
vice,'  but  they  Took  it ;  the  result  of  which  was  that  they  walloped  all 
their  enemies,  till  you  Frenchmen  came.  Of  coorse,  I  became  a  great 
man  amongst  them,  and — and — upon  me  sowl,  I've  no  more  -to  say. 

Col.  And  your  name. 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  Hallo  !  pull  up.  Shady,  you  may  get  into  mischief, 
after  all ! 

Col.  Surely,  you  don't  fear  to  confide  in  us  1 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  I'll  borrow  the  name  of  my  dead  drinking  fellow- 
passenger. 

Col  Well,  you  won't  trust  us  ? 

Ofl.  Oh  !  but  I  will.     My  real  name  then,  is  Cornelius  MacShake.  j 

Blanche.  Good  Heavens  !  I  Tnt.  ether 

Leon.  What!  ^  logeti 

[2%e  COLONEL,  after  a  pause,  runs  up  to  OFL-AN-AGAN  and  embraces 
•  him. 

Ofl.  What  the  divil's  the  matter  with  them  all  1 

Col.  My  friend !  my  benefactor !  my  preserver !  speak  that  blessed 
name  again ! 

Ofl.  Certainly,  Cornelius  MacShake. 

Blanche.  It  is. 

Leon.  Astounding! 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  MacShake  seems  to  make  everybody  shiver ! 

Blanche.  [Crosses  to  1  u.  L.]  Oh,  sir!  if  you  knew.  - 

Leon.  [Crosses  to  OFL-AN-AGAN.]  My  dear  friend,  if  you  could 
guess. 

Col.  Stay,  my  children,  we  must  not  be  too  abrupt. 

Blanche.  \LooTdng  1  E.  L.]  [Aside.]  Good  gracious !  She's 
coming. 

Col.  [Aside.]  I'll  take  him  away.     Do  you  break  it  to  her. 

Ofl.  They're  going  to  break  something !  What  have  I  done  for 
meself  now  1 

Col.  [Crosses  to  OFL-AN-AGAN,  R.]  Retire  with  me,  my  dear  friend  ! 
There  are  blessings  in  store  for  you  that  you  little  dream  of. 

Ofl.  Are  there,  now! 

Col.  One,  in  particular,  you  were  nearly  being  deprived  of — but, 
thank  Heaven!  I'm  safe — I  mean  you're -safe.  Not  a  word — this 
way — with  me.  Hush  ! 

"Exeunt  COLONEL  and  OFL-AN-AGAN  1  E.  n. 

Leon.  How  shall  we  tell  her? 

Blanche.  Oh  Pll  do  it.  . 


THE    VETERAN. 


57 


Leon.  I  think  you'd  better  leave  it  to  me. 

Blanche.  Not  at  all,  you  be  ready  to  catch  her  when  she  .faints. 

Leon.  Oh,  will  she  faint  ? 

Blanche.   Of  course  ;  how  stupid  you  are — hush  ! 

[  They  go  up  stage. 

Enter  MRS.  MACSHAKE,  L.  2  E. 

Mrs.  M.  Now  perhaps  I  ehall  know  from  Colonel  Delmar,  for  what 
reason  he  could  possibly — 

Blanche.  [Coming  to  her  side.']  Dear  madame — 

Leon.  [R.  on  the  other  side.]  Dear  madame. 

Blanche.  [L.  TbLEON.]  Go  away,  Dear  madame.  [Motions  LEON  to  place 
a  chair.]  Sit  down.  [LEON  places  chair — MRS.  MAG-SHAKE  sits. 

Mrs.  M.  [c.]  Well,  my  dear,  you  are  very  mysterious — and  if  I  was 
a  nervous  person — 

Blanche.  That's  it.  [Motions  LEON  to  get  hthind  MRS.  MACSHAKE.] 
Oh.  my  dear  friend,  prepare  yourself! 

Mrs.  M.  Prepare  myself  1  Do  for  heaven's  sake,  explain.  [Seeing 
LEON  behind  her.]  What  are  you  doing  there  1 

Blanche.  He's  alive ! 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  I  see  he  is— but  what  are  you  driving  at? 

Blanche.  Listen,  dearest  madame — the  Hereford — 

Mrs.  M.  [Starting  up  and  nearly  upsetting  LEON.]  Ah?  [BLANCHE  mo 
tions  LEON  to  stand  behind  her — LEON  declines. 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  what  of  the  Hereford  1 

Blanche.  Was  wrecked  near  this  place — 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  well,  well— 

Blanche.  One  passenger  escaped — 

Mrs.  M.  Ah  ?  and  that  one  ? 

Blanche.  Became  afterwards  Grand  Vizier  to  the  Sultan — 

Mrs.  M.  And  the  Grand  Vizier  was — 

Blanche.  Was  and  is  your  husband  1 

Mrs.  M.  My  heart  prophesied  it  when  first  you  mentioned  the 
ship's  name.  Well,  my  dear — I— I  suppose  we  must  meet  ? 

Blanche.  Oh  yes — but  not  now — not  this  moment.  Retire  with  us 
for  a  few  moments. 

Mrs.  M.  I  will — oh  Blanche,  this  is  a  dreadful  trial ! 

Blanche.  It  is — but  your  firmness  will  sustain  it.  Come,  dear  mad 
am—come  !  [They  lead  her  off,  2  E.  L. 

*    Enter  COLONEL  2  E.  R. 

Col.  There's  a  special  providence  that  watches  over  stupid  and 
precipitate  old  Colonels— ah,  ha  !  Mrs.  MacShake,  that's  all  you've 
got  by  coming  here  and  getting  shipwrecked  on  purpose  to  catch  me. 
I've  lost  her — but  I'll  be  firm — I'll  bring  them  together  and  then  I'll 
go  and  hide  my  broken  heart  in  genteel  retirement. 

Enter  LEON,  u.  E.  L. 

Leon.  [To  COLONEL — in  whisper.]  Have  you  ? 
Col.  [In  whisper.]  Yes — have  yo M? 


58  THE    VETERAX. 

/eon.  [In  whisper,"]  Yes. 

Col.  [In  whisper.}  Are  you  ready  1 

Leon.  [In  whisper.]  Yes. 

Col.  [In  whisper.]  So  are  we. 

LEON  and  BLANCHE   support  MRS.   MACSHAKE   slowly  down   stage — 
COLONEL  does  the  same  with  OFL-AN-AGAN. — Ttiey  place  them   in  chairs 
and  leave  them. 

Oft.  [Aside.}  It's  mighty  clear  that  these  poor  creatures  are  all  la- 
boriag  under  the  effects  of  sun-stroke  ! 

[They  look  at  each  other  a  short  time  and  tlwi  MRS.   MAcSiiAKE   bursts 
into  tears.  ' 

Oft.  [Aside.]  Here's  a  fresh  lunatic !  I  must  take  care  what  I  do 
and  say  ! 

Mrs.  M.  Oh,  is  it  you  1 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  That's  a  leading  question.  [Aloud.]  Yes,  ma'am,  it's 
me.  [Aside.]  There  can  be  no  danger  in  admitting  the  fact. 

Mrs.  M.  Lei  me  look  at  you. 

Ofl.  Certainly,  ma'am — but  not  too  close — I'm  much  handsomer  at 
a  distance. 

Mrs.  M.  [Sighing.]  Ah — the   old  manner. 

Oft.  Yes,  ma'am,  the  old  manner. 

Mrs-  M.  Time  makes  great  alterations. 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  That's  another  safe  remark— [Aloud.]  Yes,  certainly. 

Mrs.  M.  I  never  should  have  known  you. 

Ofl.  No,  you  never  should — I  mane  of  coorse  not. 

Mrs.  M.  How  was  it  you  did  not  recognize  me  1 

Ofl.  The  fact  is,  you're  so  much  improved  since  I  saw  ye  before. 

Mrs.  M.  [Coquettishly.]  Go  along,  you  creature. 

Ofl.  [Rising.]  Yes,  ma'am,  certainly. 

Mrs.  M.  No— no — I  don'  tmean  that.    Cornelius,  time  softens  many 
things — does  it  not  ? 

Ofl.  No  doubt  of  it,  ma'am — whiskey  and  potatoes,  in  particular 
if  ye  keep  'em  long  enough. 

Mrs.  M.  Why  do  you  call  me  ma'am  ? 

Ofl.  Well— it's  a  habit  I've  got.    I  call  everybody  ma'am. 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  you   may  again  call  me  Clorinda — or  even  as  you 
used— Clo — The  old  name. 

Ofl.  Yes— ould— Clo  : 

Mrs.  M.  I  have  now  a  most  delicate  question  to  ask  of  you. 

Oft.  [Aside.]  Now  wer'e  coming  to  family  secrets. 

Mrs.  M.  One  on  which  depends  my  forgiveness — 

[LEON,  COLONEL  and  BLANCHE  appear,  watching. 

Col.  Go  away,  children — how  dare  you  look  ;  I'm  ashamed  of  you. 
[Exeunt ,  LEON  BLANCHE  and  COLONEL.     The  COLONEL  returns. 

Mrs  M.    [ Afttr  a  pause.}  I  know  well   the  frightful  customs  of  this 
Oarbarous  country.     Have  you  become  a  convert  to  them  ? 

OH.  [Aside.]  What  the  divil  shall  I  say  1  [Aloud.}  Yes  ma'am— Clo 
— to  a  certain  extent. 


TIIE    VETERAN,  69 

Mrs.  M.  [Coming  close  to  him  and  playfully.]  Come  now — answer  me 
one  questiou  truly— will  ye — will  ye,  Gorne'y  I 

Ojl,   Corney  1 

Jfr*  M.  [Gently  pulling  him  by  leard.]  Will  ye? 

Oft.  Don't  ma'am — Clo —  if  ye  plaze. 

Mrs.  M.  [Sighing.]  Ah  !   you  never  had  a  soft  heart. 

Ofl.  No  ma'am— but  I've  a  mighty  tinder  chin. 

Mrs.  M.  Come  now,  the  truth— how  many  have  ye  7 

Ofl,  How  many  7 

Mrs.  M.  Yes  !     How  many  1 

Ofl.  [Aside]  It's  the  money  she's  after !  [Aloud.]  How  many 
piasters  is  it  1 

Mrs.  M.  Piasters  !     No  !      Wives. 

Ofl.  [Aside.]  Oh,  murther  !  I  can't  stand  this  any jnoro.  We're  get 
ting  intirely  too  domestic  !  [Aloud.]  This  is  all  a  mistake,  ma'am.  A 
mistake  of  mine  made  for  me  by  somebody  else.  My  name  is  not 
Mac  Shake. 

Jlrs.  M.  What ! 

Ofl.  It  never  was  MacShake.  The  truth  is,  ma'am,  I'm  an  Irish 
soldier — and  though  very  fond  of  discipline  when  I  command,  I  never 
relished  it  when  I  was  commanded.  So,  years  ago^I  took  French 
leave  and  deserted.  Mr.  McShake  was  a  fellow-passenger  with  me 

when  we  were  lost — and [Exit,  R.  H. 

[The  COLONEL  has  fallen  into  a  chair  at  this  intelligence. 

LEON  and  BLANCHE  enter. 

Leon  and  Blanche.  What's  the  matter  ? 

Mrs.  M.  Come  to  me,  children.  This  is  a  heavy  blow.  I'm  stun 
ned  ! 

Col.  No!  come  to  me,  children,  I'm  crushed  ! 

Blanche.  Dear  madam,  bear  up. 

Leon.  Dear  father,  what  is  the  matter  ? 

Col.  [Recovering  himself]  Eh !  Oh,  nothing.  A  momentary  sur 
prise — that's  all.  Did  I  seem  much  overcome,  Leon  1 

Leon.  You  seemed  what  you  technically  term  "  floored,"  sir. 

Col  Ah!  Umph!  Yes.  Well,  leave  Mrs.  McShake  and  I  to 
gether  for  a  few  minutes — I've  something  to  say  to  her. 

[Exeunt  LEON  and  BLANCHE,  2  E.  L. 

[After  a  pause.  MRS.  MACSHAKE  slowly  draws  forth  a  letter. 

Col.  [Aside]  I  knew  it — she's  calmly  unsheathing  her  weapon  of 
destruction^ 

Mrs.  M.  Colonel  Delamar. 
•  Col.  -Mrs.  Mat-Shake. 

Mrs.  M.  Whatever  may  be  the  effect  of  the  trial  I  have  just  passed 
through,  I  am  still  enough  myself  to  meet  you  and  your  proposal  as 
becomes  me.  [Opens  and  looks  at  letter. 

Col.  [Aside]  There's  no  escape — I  sought  my  fate.  The  preci 
pice  is  before  me — I'll  make  Quintus  Curtius  my  model,  and  liko 
that  gentleman  walk  calmly  into  the  abyss. 


60  THE   VETERAN. 

Mrs.  M.  You  have  here  made  me  a  proposal. 

Col.  I  have,  madam.  Excuse  me  if  1  seem  abrubpt,  but  I  pique  my 
self  on  my  penetration.  I  have  long  perceived  your  wishes  with  re 
gard  to  myself;  and  as  I  always  study  every  one's  convenience — 

Mrs.  M.  Sir,  I— 

Col.  I  beg  your  pardon  ;  I  simply  mean— that  I  thought  it  best  to— 

Mrs.  M.  You  thought  it  best — to  make  a  noodle  of  yourself. 

Col.  Noodie,  ma'am  ? 

Mrs.  M.  Noodle,  sir.  What  act  or  word  of  mine  ever  gave  encour- 
a^t meat  to  your  absurd  idea  1  Do  you  suppose  that,  if  I  had  designs 
upon  yon,  I  should  have  started  for  India  1  Come,  Colonel,  take  back 
your  letter,  aud  consider  it  unwritten.  You  thought  I  was — ha!  ha  ! 
— in  love  with  you. 

Col  Well,  madam,  I — 

Mrs.  M.  Oh!— ha!  ha!  ha!  Excuse  me,  but  it's  too  ridiculous 
Well,  since  we  must  be  formal,  Colonel  Delmar,  I  decline  the  honor — 

Col.  [Aside.}  Now,  damn  me  if  she  sha'n't  marry  me,  whether  she 
likes  it  or  no.  Mrs.  MacShake  ! 

Mrs.  M.  Hush !  Don't  let's  make  fools  of  ourselves  before  the 
young  people. 

Enter  EUGENE — he  goes  to  table. 

Col.  [After  reflecting  a  little.}  You  observed,  just  now,  madam,  that 
I  had  made  a  noodle  of  myself. 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  I  certainly  did  say — 

Col.  Oh  !  don't  be  delicate.  A  very  little  reflection  has  convinced 
me  that  jackass  would  have  been  a  better  term — 

Mrs.  M.  My  dear  Colonel — 

Col.  Now  don't  spare  me,  I  beg— it  is  so. 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  if  you— 

Col.  I  do.  We'll  say  jackass,  if  you  please.  But  if  my  penetration 
has  failed  me  in  one  instance,  you  shall  acknowledge  that  I  can  be 
right  on  some  points.  Eugene,  come  hither,  my  boy.  I  think  you 
will  do  me  the  justice  to  admit  that  the  discovery  I  made  just  before 
we  started  for  Algeria  has  never  altered  my  conduct  or  manner  to 
wards  you. 

Eug.  No,  indeed,  sir  ;  you  have  been  more  kind  than  ever — more 
generous  than  I  had  dared  to  hope. 

Col.  Well,  I  thought  that  Blanche  by  her  sudden  departure  for 
India  was  irrevocably  lost  to  both  you  and  Leon.  Eugene,  it  will 
overturn  a  favorite  plan,  but — two  young  and  fond  hearts  shall  not 
suffer  through  me — in  a  word,  prepare  for  rapture,  my  boy — Blanche 
is  yours. 

Mrs.  M.  Now  you  are  a  good  creature. 

Col.  Well,  what  say  you — I  don't  see  any  rapture  yet. 

Eng.  I'm  so  astounded — so — so — so — 

Col.  So,  so — hang  it,  sir,  you've  a  very  so  so  way  of  expressing 
yourself. 

Eug.  My  kindest  friend,  it  never  shall  be  said  that  I  willfully  de 
ceived  so  generous  a  heart — I  no  longer  love  Blanche. 

Col.  What? 


THE    VETERAN.  61 

Mrs.  M.  My  poor  child  ! 

Eug.  Think  what  you  will  of  me — the  worst — I  love  another. 

Col.  Well,  upon  my  soul — and  this  is  the  return  for  my  care  of 
you  since  you  were  a  friendless  boy — treating  you  as  a  second  son. 
For  some  fresh  fancy  you  would  break  a  heart  that  confides  in — . 
You  are  a  scoundrel,  sir  ! 

Mrs.  M.  Colonel,  pray — 

JEug.  Dear  sir,  if  you'll  only  hear  me.    Blanche  herself — 

Col.  Don't  speak  to  me,  sir, — don't  look  at'  me,  I've  done  with 
you  forever.  [Crosses  to  L. 

Enter  MOHAMMED  and  AMINEH,  c. 

Moh.  Chieftain,  I  am  here  to  lake  my  leave,  and  in  bending,  ow 
before  thee — I  do  it,  not  to  the  brave  soldier,  not  to  the  victorious 
commander,  but  to  the  generous  heart  that  can  feel  mercifully  and 
act  nobly  towards  the  vanquished! 

Col.  Enough,  my  friend — I  said  before,  and  I  say  it  again,  that  you 
are  a  fine  fellow  for  an  Arab  ;  you  are  welcome  to  your  freedom,  so 
you  do  not  use  it  against  us. 

Moh.  May  this  hand  be  withered,  if  it  is  ever  lifted  against  a  Chris 
tian  life  again! 

Col.  [Crosses  c.  L.]  And  you,  my  brave  girl — have  you  no  word 
for  the  old  man  whose  life  you  saved.  Will  you  not  accept — 

Amineh.  [c.]  Not  even  thanks — you  were  in  danger — and  were  you 
not  dear  to  him  ? 

Col  To  him  1    I  don't— 

Eug.  I  told  you.  sir,  I  loved  another.  Amiueh  is  and  ever  will  be 
sole  mistress  of  my  heart. 

Col.  [L.]  So,  sir,  you  have  added  to  your  falsehood  and  treachery 
in  one  case,  a  vile  deception  in  another  ! 

Eug.  [R.]  Deception,  sir — 

Mrs.  M.  [R.  c.]  Yes,  sir,  deception.  You  knew — you  must  have 
known  beforehand — that  an  unnatural,  absurd  marriage  of  this  kind 
your  friends  would  never  consent  to.  Pardon  me,  my  poor  girl,  I 
would  not  willingly  wound  you,  but  there  is  a  point  at  which  delicacy 
becomes  cruelty.  Listen  to  me  The  manners,  habits,  prejudices  of 
our  countrymen  are  as  widely  different  in  all  respects  as  your  own 
free  and  arid  desert  is  to  our  crowded  cities.  For  a  while  you  would 
be  contented  and  happy — love  would  enshrine  you  in  a  rosy  cloud. 
But  time — aye,  believe  me — but  a  short  time  would  waft  that  cloud 
aside — and  to  both — a  late-repentance  ! 

Eug.  Repent  1  never  !  I — 

Col.  [Crosses to  c.]  Who  the  devil  was  speaking  to  you,  sir  1  I'm 
very  much  obliged  to  you,  Mrs.  MacShake,  for  expressing  my — yes, 
my  sentiments  so  admirably.  My  child —  [To  AMFXEH.] 

Ami.  And  think  you,  Chieftain,  that  you  descend  in  mating  with 
the  Arab  7  Think  you  that  the  memory  of  our  free  and  noble  ances 
try  is  nought  1  I  tell  you,  that  for  centuries,  the  dwellers  in  the 
desert  have  handed  from  father  to  son  a  heritage  of  pride  as  well  as 
valor  which  the  daughters  will  not  belie !  Know,  proud  Frenchman,  that 
our  very  steeds  can  boast  descent  as  far  and  pure  as  many  of  the 


02  THE    VETERAN. 

kings  of  Europe !  Enough  of  this — I  can  resign  him — though  I  love — 

Eug.  Ainineh! 

Col.  Eugene! 

Ami.  [L.  c  ]  Fear  not,  sir.  Let  the  daughters  of  France  admit  it 
sia  or  shame  to  confess  a  passion  that  is  pure  and  honest — I  have  not 
been  so  taught.  And  I  can  say  without  a  blush — I  love  him — shall 
ever  love  him — yet  I  will  resign  him ! 

Moh.  [L.]  My  own  dear  sister — 

Eug.  Ainineh,  hear  me — 

Ami.  Hush — in  mercy  do  not  speak.  Brother,  dear  brother,  take 
me  back  to  our  tents — place  me  under  the  trees  which  shelter  the 
green  earth  where  our  father  lies.  Speak  to  me  ever  of  him  and  of 
our  childhood — and  if  I  cannot/or^  the  past — the  future  shall  be  all 
your  own.  That  obedience — that  devotion  that  should  have  been  a 
husband's,  had  her  lot  been  a  happier  one,  thy  sister  will  give  to 
thee !  Eugene,  farewell !  In  thy  dangers — thy  trials — thy  sorrows, 
or  thy  happiness — think  that  there  is  one  heart  whose  humble 
prayers  will  be  lifted  morn  and  night  in  thy  behalf— and  brother — 
dear  brother — I — 

Col.  Damn  me,  if  I  can  stand  this  any  more !  Mohammed,  take 
her — take  your  sister  to  your  arms  and  heart — hold  her  there — 
close  !  close !  and  now,  Eugene,  take  her  to  yours — and  if  you  let 
her  go  again  in  a  hurry,  you're  a  greater  fool  than  you  look. 

Mrs.  M.  Why,  Colonel ! 

Col.  Don't,  ma'am !  don't  destroy  the  charm.  I  could'nt  help  it. 
I  made  a  good  fight  of  it.  Pride  and  pure  feeling — conventionality 
and  sympathy — head  and  heart  were  all  at  it,  pell  mell,  hammer 
and  tongs.  Head's  floored.  Heart's  got  the  best  of  it!  and  hang 
me  if  I  repent  it ! 

Mrs.  M.  Here's  Blanche,  poor  child  ! 

Col.  Oh,  Lord !  here's  another  mess.  Here,  Eugene.  Stop — let 
her  go  for  a  moment. 

Enter  BLANCHE,  L.  2  E. 

Don't    let    Blanche    see.      Ah,    too  late  !      Blanche,   my    darling 
come  hither.     You  saw,  eh  ? 

Blanche,  Yes,  sir  !   I  saw. 

Col.  My  poor  little  pet.  But  you  musi  not  blame  your  old  Col 
onel. 

Enter  LEON,  L. 

Blanche.  Oh,  sir  !  I  don't. 

Col.  Good  girl !  good  girl !  Don't  fret,  my  darling — you  shall  b* 
mistress  of  the  Chateau.  Come  here,  Leon,  and  help  to  comfort  her. 
Tell  her,  that  in  affection,  I'll  be  father — brother — husband — all 
combined.  You  will  aid  me  1 

•  '    Leon.  Yes,  sir  !  we'll  divide  the  labor.     You  shall  have  two  shares 
— father  and  brother— whilst  I'll  7>e  content  with  what  remains. 

Col  Eh!  what!    It  is'nt • 

Blanche.  Yes,  sir,  it  ts  ! 

Leon.  And  has  been  for  some  time. 


THE    VETEHAW.  63 

Col.  [To  himself .]  Jackass  again ! 

Enter  SERGEANT,  c. 

Serj.  A  dispatch,  sir,  from  the  Marshall.  Followed  us  here  fror^ 
Head-quarters. 

Col.  Very  well.  [Opens  dispatch.]  Whew !  here's  news  with  a  ven 
geance.  Exchange  of  regiments — orders  to  return  to  France  ! 

Enter  OFL-AN-AGAN,  2  E.  R. 

Oft.  France  !  oh,  Colonel  dear,  will  you  find  a  seat  for  me  ? 

Col.  Ecod,  I  should  think  so.  Sergeant,  see  that  a  horse  is  placed 
at  the  disposal  of — hallo !  we  haven't  got  your  name  yet.  Ofl-an- 
agan,  esquire,  sounds  rather  queer. 

Ofl.  You  may  say  that.  So,  if  you  plase,  we'll  go  back  to  the  ould 
original ;  and  instead  of  Ofl-an-agan,  we'll  say  O'Flannigan  :  the 
transition  is  aisy. 

Eug.  And  so,  sir,  we're  off  for  France  again?  Well,  as  those  who 
love  you  will  be  glad  of  that — for  it  is  high  time  you  had  some  repose 
at  your  years — 

Col.  Years!— what  do  you  mean,  sir!  Oh,  come,  come,  master 
Eugene  ;  I've  every  respect  for  Young  France,  Young  England, 
Young  America,  and  all  other  youths  on  this  or  the  other  side  of  the 
deep  sea,  but  there's  something  in  the  old  soldiers  yet.  Do  you  know 
how  old  Frederick  the  Great  was  when  he  won  his  great  battle  1 

Eug.  No,  sir. 

Col.  I'll  tell  ye,  65.  Do  you  know  how  old  Pelissier  was  when  he 
took  the  Malakoff? 

Eug.  I  forget  exactly. 

Col.  I'll  tell  ye,  61.  Do  you  know  how  old  Scott  was  when  he 
walked  into  Mexico  ? 

Eug.  No,  sir. 

Col.  I'll  tell  ye,  63.— Oh,  hang  it,  we  musn't  give  up  the  old 
soldiers  !  Leon,  my  boy,  do  you  think  I  ought  to  retire  ? 

Leon.  Retire,  sir — what  for  1 

Col.  Why,  for  you  to  take  my  place,  I  suppose. 

Leon.  I  think  the  arrangement  much  better  as  it  stands. 

Col.  [To  Audience.]  Well,  then,  if  you  think  the  arrangement  a 
good  one  as  it  stands,  I  worit  retire,  except  back  to  France,  and  at 
the  head  of  the  regiment. 

[Curtains  of  tent  are  drawn  apart  discovering  the  ZOUAVES,  with 
their  Band,  Colors,  Officers,  $c.y  in  marching  order.  ARABS  [men 
and  women,]  forming  a  Tableau  as  the  Curtain  descends. 


THE    END. 


StriiiB  Jack, 
Qureu, 

\\   II.K-.SS. 

•  if  Ahbeville 


[  Catalogue  continued  from  second  pa  je  of  cover. J 

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j     208  Dcseret  Deserted.        216  224 

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No   1  CONTAINS 


Gruy  Fawkes ;  An  Historical  Drama. 
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F>rc»'. 
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Drama. 


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Love  and  Jealousy:  A  Tragedy.    » 
The  Irish  Tutor;  A  Farce. 
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Sylvester  Daggerwood  ;  Comic  Inter 

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